“The Complete Guide to Proving You’re Really Abiding: A Christian Performance Manual”

Dear Anxious Believer,

Are you worried you’re not “abiding” enough? Concerned your branch might get clipped? Fear not! Here’s your comprehensive checklist to prove you’re truly connected to the Vine (completely missing the point of John 15:1-8):

√ Attend every church service 

√ Volunteer in at least three ministries 

√ Quote scripture in casual conversation 

√ Post daily Bible verses on social media 

√ Keep a color-coded prayer journal 

√ Track your quiet time minutes 

√ Count your good deeds (All while ignoring Ephesians 2:8-9 about grace through faith, not works)

Remember: Jesus said “Abide in me,” which clearly means “frantically prove your connection through religious activity” (completely misinterpreting John 15:4).

Warning Signs You’re Not Abiding Properly:

• Feeling joy without earning it (Galatians 5:22-23)
• Experiencing peace without proper documentation (Philippians 4:7)
• Bearing fruit without following the approved process (John 15:5)
• Living in grace without religious supervision (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The Proper Abiding Schedule: 

5:00 AM – Begin mandatory quiet time 

6:00 AM – Self-examination for unworthiness

7:00 AM – Strain to produce fruit 

8:00 AM – Question if you’re trying hard enough [Continue throughout day] 

(All while missing Colossians 2:6-7 about walking in Him as you received Him)

OR…

Or perhaps we’ve completely missed Jesus’ point.

What if “abide” (menō in Greek) simply means to remain, stay, dwell? What if Jesus was inviting us to:

• Rest in His presence, not strain for performance (Matthew 11:28-30)
• Connect with Him, not compete for approval (John 15:4-5)
• Receive His life, not manufacture our own fruit (Galatians 2:20)
• Stay in relationship, not follow religious rules (John 15:9-11)

Consider this revolutionary thought:

• The branch doesn’t strain to produce fruit (John 15:5)
• The branch doesn’t attend Branch Performance Seminars
• The branch doesn’t worry about its branch-worthiness
• The branch simply stays connected to the Vine (John 15:4)

The branch has one job: stay connected. The Vine has one job: provide life.

Jesus didn’t say: “Strive really hard and maybe you’ll produce fruit” He said: “Stay connected to me, and fruit will naturally come” (John 15:5)

The truth is:

• Your good works don’t prove you’re abiding (Ephesians 2:8-9)
• Your abiding produces good works (James 2:18)
• Your connection creates the fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)
• Your position precedes your production (Ephesians 2:6)

So perhaps it’s time to:

• Stop proving and start receiving (John 1:12)
• Stop striving and start staying (Hebrews 4:10)
• Stop performing and start positioning (Colossians 2:6-7)
• Stop trying to be the source and just be the resource (John 15:5)

Because here’s the liberating truth: Jesus is the source of everything – righteousness, peace, joy, love, good works (1 Corinthians 1:30). You’re just the branch through which His life flows.

Your job isn’t to make fruit happen. Your job is to stay connected.

He’ll handle the fruit production (Philippians 1:6). You handle the staying (John 15:4).

Now doesn’t that sound more like good news?

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