Lesson 12: A life of absolute surrender, part 4

John 15:1-11 - I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I 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, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

 Let your surrender to Christ be absolute. I do not understand that word surrender fully; it gets new meanings every now and then and it enlarges immensely from time to time. But I advise you to speak it out: "Absolute surrender to You, oh Christ, is what I have chosen." Christ will show you what is not according to His mind, and lead you on to deeper and higher blessedness.


 In conclusion, let me gather up all in one word. Christ Jesus said: "I am the Vine, you are the branches." In other words, “I, the living One who have so completely given Myself to you, am the Vine. You cannot trust Me too much. I am the Almighty Worker, full of a divine life and power." You are the branches of the Lord Jesus Christ. If there is in your heart the consciousness that you are not a strong, healthy, fruit-bearing branch, not closely linked with Jesus, not living in Him as you should be—then listen to Him saying, “I am the Vine, I will receive you, I will draw you to Myself, I will bless you, I will strengthen you, and I will fill you with My Spirit. I, the Vine, have taken you to be My branches, I have given Myself completely to you; children, give yourselves completely to Me. I have surrendered Myself as God absolutely to you; I became man and died for you that I might be entirely yours. Come and surrender yourselves entirely to be Mine."

 What shall our answer be? Let it be a prayer from the depths of our heart, that the living Christ may take each one of us and link us close to Himself. Let our prayer be that He, the living Vine, shall so link each of us to Himself that we shall go away with our hearts singing, “He is my Vine, and I am His branch, I want nothing more, now that I have the everlasting Vine." Then, when you get alone with Him, worship and adore Him, praise and trust Him, love Him and wait for His love. "You are my Vine, and I am Your branch. It is enough, my soul is satisfied."

Glory to Your blessed name!