No other passage has stuck out to me more, this past week, than John 15: 1 -17. At its core, John 15 highlights the importance of being in step with God, instead of  moving in our own time and own way. Jesus tells us that in order to bear fruit, we must abide in Him. If we are apart from Him, attempting to do life by ourselves, we might as well throw in the towel. There’s no hope! If we’re being honest, the message sounds a little harsh. It appears as though Jesus isn’t merciful and patient towards us. He, in fact, compares us to a branch burned in the fire, deemed useless (verse 6), if we operate in our own knowledge and strength. Doesn’t He understand that we are only human? We can’t always get it right. That truth about our humanity, however, is exactly what makes this passage beautiful.

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (Verse 8)

Jesus understands our humanity. He was flesh himself. This is exactly why He’s stressing the point of abiding. It isn’t that He is intolerant to our stubbornness and pride (the way His grace and mercy are set up!), but He knows what His father’s business is. He knows what His father purposed for us. Why waste time wandering through life when you can be a full fledged disciple? Why waste time flexing your flawed pride when you can walk in the power and glory of God? Why waste time trying to make things happen for yourself, by yourself, when you can ask for anything in His name and it will be done for you (verse 7)? This passage, then, is not meant to condemn you, but to empower you.

Jesus’ message on abiding is a call to stop playing games. We can only rule our own lives for so long before we crash. It serves us no benefit. In fact, it does nothing more than push us backwards, delaying the maturation of our fruit. We all want joy, peace, favor, and guidance. We all seek blessings, influence, and His endorsement. That’s exactly what our fruit is. That is what it should be. That’s what He is trying to produce in us.

If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (verses 10 & 11).

Abiding isn’t easy, especially when you don’t want to let up on the reins of your life. The silver lining is that God is patient, kind, and loving. If He wasn’t, He would not have given us this warning. He wants us to be His disciples, growing, getting pruned, and growing some more. It’s hard work. It’s sacrifice. It’s  admitting your own defeat. It’s  dying to self. It’s  realizing that all the effort you put in, on your own, didn’t hold a candle up to what God could do. It’s release. It’s surrender. It’s  peace. It’s His love.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. (verse 16)

Stop fighting Him. Surrender and let Him begin the pruning process in your life. Release your control and watch Him perform miracles that you could not have imagined. It starts with realizing that you can’t do it alone. It starts with realizing that you, indeed, are not God. It starts with understanding that God’s desire to have His hand over your life is not to control you and mess up your plans, but instead to transform your life, open your eyes to greater, and to have you become the disciple He destined for you to be.

Start abiding, twentysomethings!