Scriptures and Footnotes....

John 15:1-15
The Need to Individually Abide in Jesus

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 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.

I am the vine, you are the branches[1]; he who abides[2] in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. 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.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 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.

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.[3] You are My friends[4], if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

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[1] The "you are the branches" is not referring to different denominations or congregations. Rather, the Lord is directing this need to abide in Him to each individual person. Note especially all the singular pronouns in verses 5 and 6.

[2] How does one "abide" in the Lord? According to the passage, by allowing Jesus' words to abide in one's heart (v. 7), which also involves keeping the Lord's commandments (v. 10).

[3] Let us also never forget that Christ laid down his life for even his most vicious enemy! Yes, He died for every sinner!

[4] What greater friendship could one have than to be, as Abraham was also declared as being, a "friend of God" (James 2:23). The Bible also teaches that God truly "honors" all those who serve His Son Jesus Christ -- and what greater honor could there be than this (John 12:26)