Uniquely Different

April 19, 2009 by: Roger Bain | The Bain Journal 1 Comment

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Chapters 13-17 in the Gospel of John are considered to be Jesus’ farewell discourse; his intimate words of assurance to his disciples before his death. Jesus was assuring them that though the troubles in their life were about to increase; Jesus’s level of intimacy and commitment would also increase if they would only abide in Him.

The word “abide,” which is the word “meno” in Greek,  has the connotation of “staying in a given place.” To stay in Jesus and His teachings. In others words Jesus was encouraging them to keep their minds and hearts on Him. By keeping their thoughts and emotions stayed on Him, the disciples were “abiding in Him“.

Jesus is uniquely different from all other religious leaders. Other leaders can impact us only psychologically. That is, that they can only inspire us. Jesus can impact us not only psychologically but also impacts us spiritually. What does this mean?

It means that other leaders can only ignite our emotions and excite our imagination. But they cannot transfuse us with their own personal spirit, power, and strength.

But this is exactly what Jesus does for us when we choose to abide in Him. Jesus can put his spirit inside of us. He can distribute his power to us. He can enter our minds and our hearts and help us become what we could never become on our own.

Because of this fact we open our hearts; not to be merely inspired but to be transformed. Through His sacrifice on the cross we have become a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).

This is the foundation of our salvation, that because Jesus overcame sin, death, and the grave, we are empowered by Him to do the same through His power. While trials and struggles may increase; we have the invitation from Christ to abide in Him. To stay in His teachings and not only be inspired to overcome, but receive power from the Holy Spirit to be overcomers.

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