Before we can bear fruit, we must know the vine

I forget sometimes that Jesus tells us to "abide" in Him.  He wants us to know Him, and then we can bear fruit.  I think I fall into wanting to skip getting to know Jesus and go straight to trying to bear fruit part!! Jesus even says, "the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine" (John 15:4)

studying


John 3:17-18
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"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,

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but that the world through Him
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might be saved.  He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is
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condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God"

background: Jesus is talking to a Pharisee, Nicodemus, after he came to Jesus and was asking who He was stating that Jesus has performed signs and had been teaching-in the chapers before He had gathered His chosen apostles, had turned water into wine, and corrected the merchants for doing business at the temple.  John the baptized is not in prison yet, still preparing the way for Jesus.  So, He is answering/responding to Nicodemus' questions and the disciples are around. 

will have to do more tomorrow.