I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every barren branch of mine he cuts away; and every fruiting branch he cleans, to make it more fruitful still. You have already been cleansed by the word that I spoke to you. Dwell in me, as I in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, but only if it remains united with the vine; no more can you bear fruit, unless you remain united with me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. He who dwells in me, as I dwell in him, bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing.

-- John 15:1-5 (NEB)

____________

In chapter four where we focused on the sheep staying together and staying under the guiding presence of the Good Shepherd. Here we focus on more than the guidance of God. We focus on abiding in Christ, staying close to a…