Abide

In what may be the most practical passage on Christian discipleship in Scripture, Jesus uses the analogy of a grapevine as an illustration to show the importance of our being connected to Christ. Think about it—how does an apple tree grow apples, an orange tree grow oranges, or a grapevine grow grapes? The fruit is a byproduct of the nature and life of the tree or vine. The branches of a healthy apple tree will grow juicy apples because it is connected to the trunk of the tree. In the same way, Christian fruit is a byproduct and proof that we are connected to Christ. As a branch is worthless if it is not connected to the vine, so the believer is going to be fruitless if not deeply connected to Christ. The key for discipleship is that we abide in Christ as a branch abides in the vine.