Remain

By Kevin Shores

The past year was full of surprises of all kinds, and there are going to be things that happen this year that surprise and shock us as well, but make no mistake, God hasn’t been and won’t be caught off guard. God is sovereign and is in control of all things (Lamentations 3:37) and will make all things work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Whatever your situation has been, whatever you are going through right now, know that God has commanded us to remain in Him. John 15:4 (NIV) says, “Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the true vine, neither can you, unless you remain in Me.”

We know that the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control from Galatians 5:22-23. Have these fruits felt distant from you lately? Have the events of the last year robbed you of your joy and peace? Have you lost patience with your kids, or kids with your parents? Has your life gone from the fruits of the spirit to the fear of Satan? If so, then I challenge you to remain in Him.

The fruit comes from reading His word, studying His word, meditating on His promises, and obeying His commands to us. John 15:5 (NIV) says “He who remains in Me bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.” 

Remaining in Christ daily does not mean that we will not go through trials and troubles, it means that the fruit that comes from being in Christ will give us peace to know that God is in control and that this life is only a fraction of our eternity in heaven. It means that we will receive strength to remain faithful to our Father in troubling circumstances. When we remain in our Father, when we read, study, and obey His word we see a promise from John 15:11 (NKJV) “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Challenge:

Today, as you read, remain, and refocus on the word. Ask God to reveal things in scripture to you. Let scripture examine you, convict you, and teach you. Don’t just receive those things but go and be obedient to those things God has commanded you to do. Do these things and watch the fruit of your salvation start to show. We are not saved because of our works, but fruitful works are the result of salvation.