23. The Vine

John 15:5 (NRSV) — 5a I am the vine, you are the branches. … …

AM asks: Why is it that so much weary labor there has been in striving to understand what abiding is, how much fruitless effort in trying to attain it?

… Because the attention was turned to the abiding as a work we have to do, instead of the Living Christ, in Whom we were to be kept abiding. It is Jesus Himself Who holds and keeps us. We thought of abiding as a continual strain and effort—we forgot that it means rest from effort. Notice how Christ said, "Abide in Me; I am the Vine that brings forth, and holds, and strengthens, and makes fruitful the branches. Abide in Me, rest in Me, and let Me do My Work. I am the True Vine, all I am, and speak, and do is Divine Truth, giving the actual reality of what is said. I am the Vine, simply consent and yield your ALL to Me and I will do ALL in you."

He invites us to: Come out of every other place, and every other trust and occupation, come out of self with its reasonings and efforts, 

come and rest in what I shall do. Live out of yourself; abide in Me. 

Know that you are IN Me therefore you need no more—

remain there IN Me.