John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Have you ever noticed that the older and more productive branches grow thicker and look more and more like the vine? They are still the branches, they are not the vine, but over time it becomes harder to distinguish where one leaves off and the other begins.

Such is the abiding presence of us in Christ. The secret of that gradual and steady change is in the abiding. If you do not abide, you stop growing. If you stop growing, you stop being productive.

1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

Have you ever said, “I’ve read the bible.” Not in the sense that it is part of your daily experience but as a thing done in the past. That isn’t abiding in the word. We are human and therefore subject to decay. Our minds will remember selectively, without accuracy, without relevance if it is not refreshed continually.

Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

Do not tell yourself that you are not an apostle and therefore this word does not apply to you. Until you discover who you are in Christ, never say to yourself, this does not apply to me. That is cutting off the source of spiritual growth before you come of age to discover who you are in Christ.

Life can be very frustrating and the enemy is trying to keep you from becoming that most effective tool for Christ. Even if you discover your identity, Satan seeks to dull you. Do not forsake the reading of the word. Do not forsake discipleship and accountability.