"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (John 15:4)
When you look up a plant in a gardening book, you will see a reference to the geographical zone where that plant grows best. Some plants can grow elsewhere, but that takes extra care. It's often not even worth the bother to grow a plant outside of its zone.
Christians have only one zone where they can grow, and it's not a geographic area. Rather, it is the zone of trust and dependence on Christ. It's what Jesus called abiding in Him. Unlike plants, Christians will not grow outside their zone no matter how hard they try. In quietness and trust, the prophet Isaiah tells us, is our strength (30:15).
Our salvation depends upon what Christ has done for us and in us. Our fruitfulness, the ability to be like Him and bless others as He did, depends on where we are abiding today. That's why we need a daily check-up about the zone we're in.
Where are you abiding today? Are you trusting in your willpower or determination to make you like Jesus? You can try that. Or you can get in the right zone....and grow! --- A plant that grows outiside its zone is still a plant. But a plant that grows in its zone is productive. Get in the right zone. The right Zone is a Person, JESUS!
---Haven Today/ TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS! (Alan Jackson)
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
