“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
One of the most important chapters in the Bible with regard to fruitfulness, is that found in John’s gospel, chapter fifteen. It is there that Christ lays the foundation for grasping God’s way of fruit-bearing, which is essentially the manner by which the Spirit of God manifests the fruit of the life of Christ in and through the believer. What is Christ’s teaching on the matter?
The Lord begins with an accomplished fact, a work that has already been irrevocably, and unalterably set and finished in heaven as it was in the earth. Jesus begins with what now exists in the life of the true believer, the one who has been born of the Spirit. He says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit, He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (15:1,2) Christ begins with God, and His perfect work of salvation. Though the Spirit of God is not mentioned here, there is no doubt that He is the One working to produce, or manifest the fruit of Christ’s life in the believer. Christ begins with God, then His own work on Calvary, and the operating work of the Spirit of God.
With regard to God being the basis, means, and essence of everything pertaining to fruit-bearing, the Lord Jesus brings the true believer into the picture, highlighting his union with Christ by the Spirit. Paul declared it like this: “But of Him (God) are ye IN Christ Jesus, who is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” (1 Cor. 1:30) The moment the new birth occurs, one being born of the Spirit, the believer is placed into an eternal, unchanging relationship with Christ whereby he is made one with Him, in union with Him. Positionally before God the believer has been baptized into the death of Christ, raised with Him, and now is seated with Him in heavenly places. With regard to communion with Christ, the call comes forth to know Him, and the power of the resurrection, abiding in Him, and He in the believer. In order for there to be true communion with Christ, there must be the union with Him, so that by His life and power, all becomes possible in the disciple’s life. So then, Christ begins with God, His work of creating this union, and then calling forth the believer to live in the truth and reality of that union, deriving all from Christ who is now his Life.
The second thing we see here in John’s gospel is that the great purpose of this union is fruit-bearing, that conformity to Christ by the increasing revelation of the power and goodness of the life of Christ in the heart by the Spirit. The believer has been justified to be delivered from all condemnation, and introduced to this access to the Father by the sacrifice of Christ, the shedding of His blood. It is there, in that secret place of worship and fellowship with Christ, that the reward of the pursuit to know God is revealed. Essential to abiding in Christ is first and foremost the worship of Him in Spirit and truth. If a believer who is in union with Christ can come to grips that nothing can separate him from the love of Christ, and then worship Him, he can receive all that is necessary to abide in Him. Abundance of fruit will then be the natural, and certain result of truly abiding in him. Out of union with Christ is born fellowship with Him. And out of this communion with Him is manifested the fruits of His holy and blessed life.
The person who abides in Christ is that one who, “…dwelleth IN the secret place of the most High.” He has taken Christ decisively by faith as his life, to live in, by, and for Him.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to abide. In Jesus’ name, Amen.