The picture of the vine Jesus gave in John 15 gives us an understanding of our relation to Him and reveals our sole dependency upon Him.  All who are born of God into His Body, are the branches of His Vine and we are in connection with God in Christ and have a living union with them.  God as the Vinedresser tends to this vine to ensure its health and growth and will prune all fruit-bearing branches and will also cut away the branches that are dead.   Though we can do nothing apart from Jesus, He admonishes us to do one thing and that is to remain or abide in Him.  This is a work that deserves our diligent study and application so we may gain understanding and partake in its endless depths.

Listed below are some scripture references that may be helpful to us and give us insight into what it means to abide in Christ:

• Walks uprightly, works righteousness, speaks truth in his heart, does not backbite with his tongue, does no evil to his neighbor, does not take up reproach against his friend, a vile person is despised in his eyes, honors all who fear the Lord, keeps his word though it hurts him, has nothing to do with usury; Psalm 15
• Dwells in the secret place of God (Jesus) Psalm 91
• Christ is our (spiritual) food and provides for our forgiveness by His blood; John 6:35, 53-58
• Are considered Jesus’s disciples and will know the truth that will make us free; John 8:31-32
• Shall not abide in darkness; John 12:46
• Abides forever; John 14
• Promised eternal life; 1 John 2:24-25
• All who abide must walk as Jesus walked; 1 John 2:6
• We need not teaching (from man) but will be taught by God; 1 John 2:27
• Does not (practice) sin; 1 John 3:6
• Loves his brother and will provide for however they can; 1 John 3:17
• Keeps His commandments; 1 John 3:24
• Will confess that Jesus is the Son of God; 1 John 4:15
• Follows the doctrine of Christ; 2 John 9

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 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, 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, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you^[b] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.  John 15:1-8