remaining in Him

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from John 6:43-71. Jesus tells His disciples something very profound, but very difficult for them to accept. He answered the question that naturally arises from John 15:5, which we'll get to later. In that verse, Jesus tells us that if we remain in Him, and He remains in us, we will bear much fruit. But that apart from Him, we can do nothing.

So how do we "remain in Him, and He in us"? Well, He uses the exact same phrase today. He says, "Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him." So that's how. You eat His flesh and drink His blood.

Now this teaching is a pretty dividing line between protestants and Catholics. And I know I've got both out there reading this. So I'm going to leave it there. Jesus said it very plainly - read John 6 from beginning to end and you'll see that He says it clearly, and many stop following Him because of it. And He doesn't then explain it away as a metaphor. So I leave it to you to prayerfully consider what He's saying. Eat His flesh, and drink His blood. If you do, you will have eternal life. You will remain in Him, and He in you, and you will bear great fruit.

Apart from Him, you can do nothing.

God, thanks for teaching us how to bear great fruit in our lives. Please help us to remain in You.