Yes,
I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them,
will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
I have not been the least of those who have striven, and
agonized, and strained, and pressed and reached out for all that the Lord would
have, all that is possible. It is possible to wear yourself right out, and kill
yourself in a spiritual quest, and the Lord at last says to our hearts:
"If you only know Me, things will happen; it will all come to
pass without any of your strain, struggle and agony. I am going to
bear this fruit. I will bear it through you by way of union and fellowship.
Remember that the holy, blessed secret of fellowship is just resting in Me,
abiding in Me."
If you saw all the branches of the vine every day groaning and
agonizing, and writhing in order to bear their fruit, you would see something
which is altogether unnatural. As a matter of fact you will see nothing of the
kind. You will see them abiding there and bearing fruit. It is what we often
speak of as the rest of faith. What is behind the rest of faith? It is not
bringing yourself to a passive state, when you inwardly sink down and say,
"I am just going to rest." It is knowing the Lord, God in Christ;
for the way in which God has joined Himself to us is in Christ, not apart, and
the way in which we have been joined to God is in Christ, not apart. The answer
to every need is knowing Him in this way.
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