Human beings were created for connection. We get to be connected to God. We get to be connected to each other. God showed His love for us in sending His son as the ultimate sacrifice to bridge the gap that sin created. When we are in relationship with God, we are filled with His love. As He fills us, out cup overflows! We have the opportunity to tap into this abundant love and grace to, in turn, pour it out on others. We embrace and forgive others. We hold each other accountable. Boundaries and accountability are biblical concepts. When we truly care for fellow believers, as a good parent cares for their children, we correct out of a longing to restore their walk with Christ. We do these things out of joy in being aligned with Christ. Biblical obedience isn’t about following a set of laws “because I said so”. Instead, it is because we know Him and trust that His ways are better than ours.
When Jesus says ‘abide in Me” it shows a matter of free will. How do we live our lives? What do we fixate on? We must be remaining and abiding in Him to produce good fruit. The good news, through the Holy Spirit, God is already abiding in us. Your responsibility is to press in to Him, to stay pressed in to Him. Reach out and talk to God, but also be on the ready to listen for His response. In the same way that you would not confidently leave your home with your clothes next to you, but rather “abiding” in them, wearing them, being immersed in them – walk boldly abiding in the love of God, in obedience with His will.
Trust that God has planted you where He will provide what you need to blossom. Do these circumstances always look ideal? Not a chance. But remember that even grapes require rocky soil to grow. Is it comfortable? Not always. When God sees that we are aligned with Him, He will continue pruning, removing what is holding us back and blocking our spiritual fruit from blossoming. Abide in Jesus, acquiring knowledge from His life and your user manual (a.k.a. the Bible).