Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ³  “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

 ⁴  “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.

 ⁵  “I am the vine, you are the branches;  he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

 ⁶  “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.”  John 15:1-6.

——————————-

We can worry and be troubled when we read this Scripture.  We can worry that we will not abide in Christ. 

What are some things that we can do?  There are more than seven things that we can and should do, but within the space limitations of this devotion, here are seven things we can do.

First, we can read God’s Word regularly (daily devotions) and passionately (also at other times out of joy and need).  The very next verses states:  “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”  John 15:7.  “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.  He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither;  And in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Psalm 1:2-3.  By regularly and passionately reading God’s Word, we can abide in Christ.

Second, we can read God’s Word with a focus and a faith on what God is doing in the Scripture.  Rather than focusing on what we should do, we focus on what God has done.  “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;  From where shall my help come?  My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.  He will not allow your foot to slip;  He who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD is your keeper; …”  Psalm 121:1-3. 

For example, we focus on the fact that Christ is the true vine.  We think healthy vines don’t just drop branches.  Rather, healthy vines send nourishment to the branches,  Healthy vines hold on to its branches.  God the Father is a vinedresser.  A vinedresser helps the branches stay healthy by pruning and cleaning and by protecting from parasites and by fertilizing.  A vinedresser builds and uses fences, lattices, and other frameworks upon which the branches can lean and get support.  We meditate on Christ’s statement that we are already clean because of His word to us.  We think of Scripture such as Ephesians 5:25-27:  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”

Third, we can remember God’s Word.  We remember John 14:27 which was in yesterday’s devotion and in the prior Scripture passage.  “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”  John 14:27.  This verse is not only a specific encouragement about the role of the Holy Spirit to help us remember God’s Word;  it is also a general encouragement that we do not need to worry or be troubled about abiding in Christ.  

As a practical tip, when I try to remember a particular verse, I just try to remember two things:  the book and the chapter in which the verse is located.  I have discovered that if I try to remember three things (book, chapter, and verse), then I give up and forget all three.  However, I have discovered that I can remember two things (book and chapter), and with the memory of those two things, I can find that particular verse. 

Also, as one more practical tip, I try to remember key words.  If I remember key words, then I can use BibleGateway to do a search to find that verse – Click here: BibleGateway.com: Search for a Bible word or phrase in over 35 languages and 50 versions.

Fourth, we pray.  Notice the prayer of trust within the following Scripture.  “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”  Psalm 91:1-2.  

Fifth, we can attend church regularly (each Sunday) and passionately (also at other times out of joy and need).  “I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”  Psalm 122:1.  “And many peoples will come and say,
         “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
         To the house of the God of Jacob;
         That He may teach us concerning His ways
         And that we may walk in His paths.”
         For the law will go forth from Zion
         And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”  Isaiah 2:3. 

Sixth, we can partake of the Lord’s Supper.  “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.”  John 6:56.

Seventh, through God’s grace (and all of these things that we can do, we can only do through God’s grace), we can keep God’s commandments.  “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.”  John 15:10.