1 “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 does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

John 15:1-11

What does it mean to Abide in Him? Verse 7 is especially puzzling for me.

One way that God is revealing the meaning of this passage to me is to think of it this way: As we know Him more and "abide" in Him more, we'll know His heart more. 1 Corinthians 6:17 says that "he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him", which is pretty intense. Can we really be ONE SPIRIT with Jesus? The Bible says yes! When we get closer and closer to that place, we know what's on His heart; His desires become our desires. We pray, and He does, not because we commanded it, but because we're actually kind of just praying along with Him. That is pretty neat.

Thoughts on "abiding"?