The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 15:4-8, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,

unless it abides in the vine, so 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, he

bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.

6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up;

and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it

shall be done for you.

8 “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My

disciples.”

Have you ever spent time reading something only to finish and ask yourself, “What on earth did he say?” I’m confident that this happens in every generation and in every country. Jesus avoided misunderstandings by speaking on the level of the people He was addressing. He was so interested in being understood that He resorted to stories and simple life experiences that could hardly be missed.

The LORD created us for Himself. We are the object of His love. At the same time, He longs for us to love Him. In these verses, Jesus speaks of Himself as “the Vine” and His people as “the branches.” The branches produce the grapes, but only when they are securely attached to the Vine.

The word “abide” means “to settle down and make one’s self at home.” The meaning here is for us to enjoy fellowship with the LORD in His Word, in prayer, and in witnessing –all of which results in our becoming more and more like Him and leading to the salvation of the lost, all of which glorifies the LORD!

Failure to abide in the LORD results in devastation (“thrown away…and cast…into the fire…”). Yet, for those who abide in Him and have adapted to His Life, they produce much “fruit” and their prayers are answered! Exactly what constitutes “fruit” in this passage is open to interpretation. Some believe that it refers to the souls that are brought to faith in Christ. Others would include salvation, but widen the meaning to embrace one’s Christlike lifestyle. Whatever the intended meaning, we do well to submit to His invitation to live with Him. For the “weather” that is always with us requires substantial protection; and that protection is always and only provided by the LORD Jesus Christ. Move in, and start really living!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”