Abiding and Thriving in Christ

     “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:3

     When I looked deeper into this verse’s beautiful imagery, I learned more about what it was portraying, and its deeper significance amazed me. The word planted is another word for transplanted. The symbolism is that we, as Christians, are trees transplanted from the worldly land to the waters of life.  In John 4 Jesus tells the woman at the well that He is the Living Water; if she drinks, she will never thirst again. God is telling us to abide in Him, to grow next to Him, and we shall be satisfied.

     “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. 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...If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:4-5, 7-8

     Evidence of a prosperous Christian life is fruit. We should produce the fruit of Spirit: “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). My pastor once said, “Bear fruit that is sweet to eat. That is mature. Not unripe, not too ripe, not fake. Bear real fruit.”

Application:

     Ask yourself, “Am I bearing fruit? Is it good fruit?” If you are bearing fruit, then continue to be more deeply and firmly rooted in Christ and draw from the Living Water. If your answer is no, reflect on this, “Where am I rooted in proximity to the river?” Remember we prosper when we are in communion with God. Draw near to Him!

Prayer:

     Lord, we want to taste and see Your goodness in our lives, but we know that is a personal choice we must make. To bear good fruit we need to be closer to you and further from the things of this world. Help us to grow closer to you minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day.