As a child, I remember my teachers giving instructions before beginning my work, especially during competency tests. "Circle in the bubble completely and do not make any stray marks outside the circle", my teacher would say. And then she would repeat herself to make sure we understood. Today, if I am trying to get a point across to my kids, I will repeat myself two or three times and then ask them to repeat to me what I have said to make sure they understand and "get my point".
This morning, I found myself in the gospel of John reading the following passage (and this is all in red by the way):
"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!" John 15:4-7
In these 4 verses, did you notice a word Jesus seemed to keep saying over and over? I did: remain. In just 4 verses, He used remain 7 times! You think He was trying to make a point?!? I believe so!
So I went to my handy, dandy dictionary app to look up the meaning of remain and this is what I found: to continue in the same state; to stay behind or in the same place; to be left after the removal, loss, destruction, etc.; to be left to be done, told, shown, etc.
Lamentations 3:23 says: "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." Each morning, God remains faithful to us to pour out His love and grace on us so we can "make it" each day being graceful and loving towards others. But sometimes WE aren't so faithful to go to Him to receive that love and grace EACH AND EVERY DAY. We don't REMAIN in Him because we are too busy with our own lives to bother! (Ouch, that last comment hurts a little doesn't it)! But it is TRUE, even for ME!
Think about it like this: you get a call from a local car dealer letting you know that your name has been randomly selected out of a phonebook to win a new car. You are pretty pumped up about it because you have done absolutely nothing to deserve the car (you didn't even have to stop by and sign a piece of paper with your number on it so you could be hounded by a salesperson)! So the brand-spanking new car is sitting down at the local dealership waiting on you to take it home but you never take the time to go by and pick it up because you're "too busy" with other things!
Now that sounds a little crazy doesn't it?!? I mean who in their right mind would leave a brand-spanking new FREE car on a lot? I can answer that question: NO ONE! Why? Because even if you didn't like the car or need the car, you would go get it, sell it and put the money in your pocket, right? Or maybe you are feeling a little generous and know a family in need so you give the car to them (does that happen much anymore)?
You see, we have the winning ticket! Not to the newest, hottest, most popular music artists concert; not to the Super Bowl; not even to the lottery; but the winning ticket to approach the One who created us so He can pour out His love and grace on us. He is like the "guy or girl" that is anxiously awaiting the call from the person they are head over heels in love with; He is CRAZY about you!
REMAIN in Him, and He will REMAIN in you. You cannot be fruitful unless you REMAIN in Him. Those who REMAIN in Him, and Him in them, will produce much fruit. Anyone who does not REMAIN in Him is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. But if you REMAIN in Him and His Words REMAIN in you, you can ask for anything you want and it will be granted!
So will you continue in the same state and spend time with Him? Will you stay behind or in the same place with Him? Will you be left after the removal, loss, or destruction because you have remained with Him and you know He will see you through? Are you willing to allow Him to show you what is left to be done; to be told or shown what He needs you to do? Or will you remain with the life you are accustomed to and never go "claim your prize"?
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