The Knowing God Series: Abide – Bearing Fruit Through Connection with Christ

The Apostle John had such a deep understanding of Christ’s love. His writings have always been some of my favorites in the Bible, and in this post, we’ll continue The Knowing God Series by learning from one of his most profound passages — John 15: 1–8.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

The Vine and the Branches

In this passage, Jesus uses the analogy of a vine and branches to describe our relationship with Him. Notice that He begins by saying, “Every branch in Me.” This means He is speaking to those who are already believers.

Then, Jesus classifies the branches into two types — the fruitless and the fruitful.

“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” – John 15:2

The Greek word translated “takes away” can also mean “lifts up” — in other words, He helps the fruitless branches so they can become fruitful.

To the fruitful ones, He prunes, which also means cleanses. This ties beautifully into verse 3, where Jesus says, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”

God cleanses and prunes us by His Word.

And then Jesus tells us how to remain fruitful:

“Abide in Me, and I in you… for without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:4–5

This is how we bring glory to the Father — by bearing fruit as we abide in Him.

Fruit, simply put, is anything God wants to produce in and through you as you walk with Him.

What It Means to Abide

The word abide means to remain, stay, await, continue, or to be inseparably united.

After we come to know Jesus and desire to be with Him, the next step is to abide — to stay connected, rooted, and united with Him.

Our core scripture shows us why abiding is essential, and one of the key ways we do that is by spending time in His Word.

His Word not only cleanses us but also reveals who He is — His thoughts, His ways, His principles, and His patterns.

If you want to know God, you cannot do it apart from His Word.

Abiding Through the Word

Spending time in God’s Word can take many forms:

• Reading the Bible

• In-depth personal study

• Group Bible study

• Meditating on Scripture

• Listening to sermons

• Teaching others

• Listening for God’s voice

  
  

God, in His wisdom, doesn’t limit us to one way of getting to know Him.

Personally, I love studying God’s Word in solitude — not because I’m so spiritual, but because the quiet helps me still my mind and turn my full attention to Him. My deepest desire is to know God so intimately that I can recognize anything that’s not of Him from a mile away. I want my heart to be so in tune with the Father that His desires become my desires.

But that kind of intimacy begins when we stay — when we abide.

Abiding Through Worship

Abide can also mean to await — to wait in His presence until He reveals Himself to you. One of the most beautiful ways to access this is through worship.

“The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” – John 4:23

In worship, we turn our focus to the Father, honoring Him for His majesty and splendor — and as we do, He shows us more of Himself.

Worship can be expressed through song, dance, spoken or written words — the form doesn’t matter. What matters is that your focus is on God.

The Call to Abide

There are many ways to abide in God, because He is so manifold in His wisdom and presence. For me, I’ve learned to abide most deeply through His Word and worship.

How about you?

• How do you spend time with God?

• What spiritual discipline draws you closer to His heart?

• If you haven’t been abiding, what can you start today?

God loves you so much that He longs to spend time with you. He already knows you — but He wants you to get to know Him, so you can walk in step with Him and let Him produce lasting fruit through your life.

Fruit That Glorifies God

When we abide in Him, we bear fruit that glorifies God.

When we bear fruit, He prunes and cleanses us through His Word, so we can bear even more fruit.

The more we abide and are pruned, the more fruit we bear — and the more glory He receives through us.

But it all begins with one simple decision:

Will you abide?

I love you,

Oyin.