Abide in Me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine,
so 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,
he bears much fruit,
for apart from Me you can do nothing…
If you abide in Me,
and My words abide in you,
ask whatever you wish,
and it will be done for you.
My Father is glorified by this,
that you bear much fruit,
and so prove to be My disciples.
Just as the Father has loved Me,
I have also loved you; abide in My love.
If you keep My commandments,
you will abide in My love;
just as I have kept My Father’s commandments
and abide in His love.
These things I have spoken to you
so that My joy may be in you,
and that your joy may be made full.
This is My commandment,
that you love one another,
just as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this,
that one lay down his life for his friends.
You are My friends if you do what I command you.
No longer do I call you slaves,
for the slave does not know what his master is doing;
but I have called you friends,
for all things that I have heard from My Father
I have made known to you.
You did not choose Me but I chose you,
and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit,
and that your fruit would remain,
so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name
He may give to you.
This I command you, that you love one another.
~ from John 15
Photo: Alais E. Wagner (2018)