Branches in the Vine, the Vine in the Branches
"Fruitfulness flows not from effort, but from abiding in the Vine."
In today’s entry, Bob Hoekstra draws us back into the imagery of the vine and branches from John 15. While the previous focus was on how grace produces fruit through humility and faith, today’s devotional leans into the intimate union Jesus describes in His words: “Abide in Me, and I in you.” This is not a call to self-effort or striving to become something we are not—rather, it is an invitation to remain in what is already true. The relationship between a vine and a branch is one of organic, continual union. The branch has no life in itself; it only lives and bears fruit as it draws from the vine. Likewise, we, as believers, were born again from Christ and are now forever joined to Him. His life is not far off or earned—it flows into us day by day, moment by moment, as we simply remain where we already are: in Him.
Christ is not a distant Savior who watches from afar, waiting for us to produce. He is the very source of all that is fruitful and alive in us. The moment we forget our union with Him, we lose the flow. But as we abide—not by effort, but by trust—we receive His life and bear His fruit. We are not producing something for Him, we are letting Him express His life through us. Hoekstra reminds us: the more we lean into this humble dependence, the more we experience the fruit of His indwelling abundance.
Personalized Journal Entry in the Holy Spirit’s Voice Through Scripture:
You were born of Me and in Me you remain. As the branch lives because of the vine, so you live because My life flows through you. You have no need to strive for fruitfulness; it is not your responsibility to fabricate what only I can produce. Without Me, you can do nothing. But you are not without Me—you are one spirit with Me.
Your heart was once restless and uncertain, but now it is My dwelling place. I did not come to visit—I came to stay. When you abide, you are simply trusting the truth: I am in you, and you are in Me. In Me is life, and that life is your light. The same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead gives life to your mortal body—My power works mightily in you. You do not conjure peace, love, or joy; you bear them because My life bears them through you.
You have come to know and believe the love I have for you. You are rooted in that love. And from this abiding place, fruit appears—not from performance, but from Presence. So remain here. Not with clenched fists or anxious thoughts, but with open hands and a restful heart. The more you rest in Me, the more you will see that I am already at work.
You are My workmanship. I prepared good works for you—not that you would perform, but that you would walk in them as I express My life through you. Live today in quiet confidence, for I am the vine, and you are My branch.
Scriptures woven in: John 15:4–5; 1 Corinthians 6:17; John 1:4; Romans 8:11; Ephesians 3:17; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 John 4:16; Ephesians 2:10.
Prayer:
Lord, I rest in the truth that I am already one with You. I don’t need to chase fruitfulness or manufacture spiritual life. You are the vine—I am simply Your branch. Your life flows in me, through me, and bears what pleases You. I’m so grateful for this union, for the stillness of knowing I don’t have to produce anything out of myself. I choose to abide today—not by effort, but by trust. Thank You for the joy of being Yours, and for the promise that Your life is more than enough in me.
Devotional Credit:
From Day by Day by Grace by Bob Hoekstra
Photo Credit: Unsplash