When Jesus said in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing,” He wasn’t laying out a soft, feel-good doctrine. No, my friend, He was giving us a demanding invitation—one that separates casual believers from true disciples.

Then in verse 8, Jesus takes it further: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” Did you catch that? Bearing fruit is the proof of being a disciple, not just calling yourself a believer.

But wait—this gets even more intense. Remember what Jesus said in John 8:31-32? He told those who already believed in Him, “If you continue in my word, then you are truly my disciples.” The word “continue” here is the same as “abide” in the Greek. It means to stay, to remain, to dwell. It’s not just a one-time decision; it’s a lifestyle.

Now, buckle up, because Jesus didn’t stop there. Just a few verses later, He said to those same believers: “You are of your father the devil” (John 8:44). Hold on—how can someone who believed in Him still have the devil as their father? The answer is clear: Believing alone isn’t enough. There’s a line in the sand between believing and abiding, between a mere believer and a true disciple.

Believing is Easy, Abiding is Hard

Let’s not sugarcoat this: Believing in God is good, but it’s not enough to save your soul. The Bible says even the demons believe—and they tremble (James 2:19). Think about that. Demons believe in God more than most of us do, and they know His power firsthand. But believing won’t save them, and it won’t save us if we stop there.

Jesus makes it clear that abiding—continuing in Him—is the only way to truly follow Him. If you’re not staying connected to the vine, you’re not bearing fruit. And if you’re not bearing fruit, you’re not glorifying the Father. Without fruit, you’re just another branch ready to be tossed into the fire (John 15:6).

Believer vs. Disciple: The Critical Difference

Here’s the deal: All disciples are believers, but not all believers are disciples. Let that sink in. It’s easy to call yourself a Christian when the road is smooth. But discipleship requires sacrifice, obedience, and staying connected to Jesus no matter the cost.

The Greek word for “abide” or “continue” (meno) paints a picture of dwelling in Christ as your permanent home. This isn’t about visiting church on Sundays or whispering a quick prayer before bed. It’s about living, breathing, and staying rooted in Him daily.

Why Abiding Matters

Jesus used the imagery of the vine and branches for a reason: it’s all about connection. A branch can’t bear fruit unless it stays attached to the vine. The moment it’s cut off, it withers and dies. In the same way, we can’t bear spiritual fruit unless we’re continually abiding in Jesus.

Without Him, we’re lifeless. We can fake the motions for a while, but eventually, the truth will show. A disciple produces fruit because the life of the vine flows through them. Believers who refuse to abide are like cut-off branches—spiritually dead, no matter how much they say they believe.

Jesus’ Hard Truth to Believers

Let’s go back to John 8:44 where Jesus tells the believers, “You are of your father the devil.” Why would He say something so harsh? Because they believed in Him with their mouths but not with their lives. They weren’t abiding in His word. They liked His miracles and teachings, but they weren’t willing to surrender to Him completely.

Jesus wasn’t interested in creating fans or casual followers. He wanted disciples who would take up their cross daily and follow Him—no matter the cost (Luke 9:23).

The Cost of Being a Disciple

Abiding in Christ isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a daily battle. It means dying to yourself, your desires, and your plans. It means letting go of anything that pulls you away from the vine. Discipleship will cost you everything, but it will give you so much more in return.

When you abide, you’ll bear fruit. That fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)—is the evidence that you’re connected to the vine. It’s what sets disciples apart from mere believers.

Believing Won’t Save You—Abiding Will

So, here’s the million-dollar question: Are you just a believer, or are you a disciple? It’s easy to say you believe in Jesus, but are you abiding in Him? Are you continuing in His word, letting it shape your thoughts, actions, and decisions? Or are you just coasting along, satisfied with a shallow faith that produces no fruit?

The difference is life and death—eternal life or eternal separation from God. Jesus doesn’t want lukewarm believers; He wants disciples who abide in Him and bear fruit for His glory.

Final Thoughts: Stay in the Vine

Believing is only the beginning. To be a disciple, you must abide in the vine. You must continue in His word, remain connected to Him, and let His life flow through you. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. The world offers distractions, temptations, and shortcuts, but none of it compares to the peace and purpose you’ll find in abiding with Jesus.

So, are you in the vine? Are you bearing fruit? If not, it’s time to make a choice. Don’t settle for being just a believer. Abide in Him, continue in His word, and become the disciple He’s called you to be.

—Joshua L Mullins