Abide, Don’t Strive

John 15:1–11

Exodus 3:14-15 NLT

God was declaring:

I am not defined by circumstances.
I am not limited by history.
I simply AM.

Everything else depends on Him.

I am the bread of life.
I am the light of the world.
I am the good shepherd.
I am the resurrection and the life

John 15:1 NIV - He says: I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

John 15:5 NLT - I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing

Historical & Biblical relevance of the vine

I was the one who planted you, choosing a vine of the purest stock - the very best. How then did you grow into this corrupt, wild vine? Jerimiah 2:21 NLT

God prepared the soil.

He planted the vine.
He protected and nurtured it.
He gave it everything it needed to thrive.

“I AM” changes who I am.

If Jesus is the true vine, then we are not self-sustaining.

Branches don’t strive, they abide.

Branch Conditions

1.        Connected, Trellised, and Pruned

Joseph - Flourishing

2.        Connected but Lying on the Ground

David - Compromised but Restorable

3.        Cut Off

Judas - Proximity Without Abiding

Archbishop Trench once wrote:

“It is only by union with Him that any branch can bear fruit: once that union is broken, the sap no longer flows; and fruit in that branch is no longer possible, though the remains of the sap that lay in it may be enough to bear leaves and so for a time give semblance of life” (Trench)

Winter Pruning – cutting back old growth

What it looks like spiritually

• God is removing things that once felt important.

• Old habits, relationships, roles, or comforts are being cut back.

• It may feel quiet… stripped back… even confusing.

What it’s not

• It’s not rejection.

• It’s not punishment.

• It’s not abandonment.

What God is doing

This season of pruning increases the potential for healthy fruit in the future if we stay connected to the Vine.

Questions to reflect on

• What might God be gently removing in this season?

• Is there something I’m holding onto that no longer produces life?

• Can I trust God even when I feel “cut back”?

If this is you: Stay connected. Winter is preparation, not the end.

Spring Training – guiding new shoots

What it looks like spiritually

• New hunger for God.

• Fresh growth, new habits forming.

• Learning spiritual disciplines.

• God shaping direction.

There’s growth, but it’s still fresh and new, and needs guidance.

What God is doing

In this season, God is shaping and directing new growth so it develops strength and purpose. Without His guidance, fresh passion and opportunity can spread in every direction but remain shallow and fragile.

Questions to reflect on

• What new thing is God growing in me?

• Who is helping guide and strengthen this growth?

• Am I rooted in Scripture and community?

If this is you: Lean into discipleship because growth needs structure.

Summer Thinning – removing excess growth

What it looks like spiritually

• Life feels full.

• Opportunities are multiplying.

• You’re serving, growing, producing.

What God is doing

Refining focus because not everything fruitful is meant to stay.

Questions to reflect on

• Am I overextended?

• Is God asking me to simplify?

• What needs to be trimmed so deeper fruit can ripen?

If this is you: Ask God what to release - not everything that grows is meant to remain.

Harvest Guarding - protecting ripe grapes

What it looks like spiritually

• You’re seeing fruit - peace, wisdom, impact.

• God has matured something in you.

• Influence and responsibility may have increased.

But harvest seasons require vigilance.

What God is doing

Protecting what He has grown.

In Scripture, harvest is joyful - but also strategic. Fruit can be stolen or spoiled if unguarded.

Questions to reflect on

• What fruit has God grown in me?

• Am I protecting my intimacy with Jesus?

• Is pride creeping in where gratitude should be?

If this is you: Stay humble. Guard your heart.

Remember, every season is normal; every season is necessary; and no season is permanent.

John 15:10 - “When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love; just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” (NLT)

Jesus connects abiding to love; and love to obedience.

Time with God shapes you.
But obedience reveals who is truly leading you.

Abiding isn’t a burden - it’s the pathway to joy.

My Own Striving

During long-service leave, I read When Strivings Cease by Ruth Chou Simons.

I realised that although I was doing a lot for God, somewhere along the way I had drifted into living more like a branch lying on the ground; still connected to the vine, but not drawing from it as deeply as I needed to.

Underneath it all, whether I realised it or not, was a fear that maybe I hadn’t done enough.

In her book, Ruth writes:

The gospel isn’t a recipe for self-improvement. It’s not a mix of working with what you’ve got, sprinkling in a little religious effort, adding in discipline, strategy, and a healthy dash of likability. Unfortunately, this recipe sometimes yields results. It sometimes rewards those who keep on pushing, keep on hustling, keep on perfecting, keep on striving. But the fruit isn’t lasting because the control center that’s keeping us keeping on in this way was broken to begin with. It’ll only run for so long in its terminal condition.

As I read her book, I had a fresh revelation of the finished work of Jesus.

There is nothing more I have to do to prove I’m worthy of His love.

Nothing more I have to accomplish to be acceptable.
Nothing I need to add to what Christ has already finished.

Jesus paid the price once and for all.

The simplicity of this thought and yet the power in understanding and accepting that Jesus has done this for me, was profound, even after years of walking with the Lord, it impacted on an even deeper level.

Eph 2 reinforces this thought when it says:

God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) Eph 2:4-6

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Eph 2:8-10

Striving can produce leaves, but only abiding produces fruit.

C.S. Lewis wrote:

All this trying leads up to the vital moment at which you turn to God and say, ‘You must do this. I can’t.’

Abiding is a choice to stay connected to the vine. It’s a daily decision to depend on Jesus for support, guidance, nourishment and pruning.

What Season Are You In?

Have you ever been busy for God… but distant from God?

What if your exhaustion isn’t from doing too much…
but from staying connected too little?

If Jesus is the vine, and you are a branch, what relationship do you have with him?

What season are you in – pruning, training, thinning, or guarding?

Every season carries the same invitation:

“Remain in me.”

Not:

Try harder.
Do more.
Prove yourself.

Focus on having a genuine, intimate relationship with Jesus, and surrendered to the loving care of the gardener, our Heavenly Father.

The message of John 15 is beautifully freeing:

I am the Vine, and my Father is the gardener. Those who remain (abide) in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit…When you obey my commandments you remain in my love…I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!