Christ showed his disciples repeatedly that he’s not a God of lip service. What he says, he does. In fact, his word is effective and performative—it does what it says. When he said, “Let there be light,” there was light. When he said, “Be healed,” healing happened. When he said, “This is my body,” the first Eucharist was consecrated. What he says to us, he will do. And he hopes for the same from us. It’s only possible to fulfill his hopes for us when we remain in him.
A tree is known by its fruit; a student becomes like his teacher; a Christian is known by his likeness to Christ. Christ also said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit because without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The key to bearing good fruit is to remain united to Christ, the source.