John 15 depicts the beautiful picture of dependence on Jesus, the Vine, which shows us the way up from carnality. Even though God has given the answer, our strong bent towards independence resists the discipline of abiding. A great problem in the West is that believers are still "unspiritual" and "under the control of ordinary impulses" as the Amplified puts it. We are "of the flesh" and behaving like "mere unchanged men." The Bible word for this is carnal. Wuest translates it as being "dominated by the evil nature." We by nature want to control things and go our own way. Knowing our bent, the Author and Finisher of our faith has given us other pictures in Scripture that stir desire for staying in the bonded position. Let us explore and embrace these pictures. We can thereby fully realize the overcoming life available through staying bonded i.e. abiding. The promise of 1 John 3:6 paraphrased is: no one who continually abides in Him continues to sin.
First, John 15 itself motivates us through the secrets we will know through abiding. Great fruitfulness results from this "vital union" with Jesus. This fruitfulness will noticeably mark us as followers of Christ as we share in spiritual life. Even more fulfilling is the participation in the flow of love within the Godhead that we will know as we yield to the Word and the Spirit. Jesus calls us to "continue in the Father's love with Me." Then we will live out of the shared love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As we obey the revelation of the branch - Vine relationship we will also know intimate friendship with Jesus. He said, "You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do." We will experience Jesus' delight in us. We will know an extraordinary gladness.
A second heart-stirring vignette of abiding is that of John leaning back on Jesus' chest at the supper. Any believer can know the identity that John knew through pursuing intimacy. And intimacy comes from staying in the bonded position. We can say what John expressed: I am the disciple whom Jesus loves, the one who also leans upon Jesus' heart. In the unseen realm we can position ourselves next to Jesus' person as we go about our daily work. This leaning against the man Jesus cures insecurity and loneliness. It is the antidote to fear.
Paul used the word bondslave to communicate being fully owned by Jesus. The promise of this aspect of abiding is, according to Wuest's Romans 6, the realizing of "having been set free from the sinful nature" and "fruit resulting in holiness."
The Old Testament presents powerful pictures as well. Deuteronomy 11 commands us to cleave to the Lord - the word here being the same as that used to depict the one flesh relationship ordained between man and wife.
Song of Solomon 2:4-6 reveals the pleasure of abiding as it describes God as Lover embracing His beloved maiden. The Amplified says, "He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love [for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near Him]. Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love. [I can feel] his left hand under my head and his right hand embraces me!" This, too, is a position we can place ourselves in at will and know Jesus' intense love and comfort.
A picture of abiding perhaps more inviting for men is that of Jonathan and David. Both men were capable of sharing their inmost hearts. Thus they knew an extraordinary love, a love surpassing that of man and woman. Jesus offers this to any seeker as He is the Friend who sticks closer than a brother. The key - the discipline of connection.
Finally the life produced as a result of abiding is seen as Elisha lies on the dead child: "mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself on him and embraced him, the child's flesh became warm." This 2 Kings 4 passage is a prophetic look at the union available with the last Adam, Christ the life-giving Spirit.
Abiding involves more than just the picture of the grapevine. It is an abandoned, bonded position. It is the way up from carnality, the way to the higher, overcoming plane. I hear the Lord: So many problems result when people live without intimacy with Me. The deep needs of their hearts are not met. Remember you are designed for intimacy with Me. To know intimacy become dependent. Gaze into My eyes; know My embrace. And become more like Me. Pursue the experience of two hearts bonded as one.
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