To Abide in Christ

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.”  John 15:4

The Lord Jesus has told us to be careful - always to “abide” in Him. The Greek word means “remain,” “endure,” “continue,” or “dwell.” He is to be our motivation, our standard, our home, our everything. When we do abide in Him, Scripture indicates that it will make a great difference in our lives right now, as well as in the life to come.

For example, “the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 John 2:6). Furthermore, “No one who abides in Him sins” (1 John 3:6). Love for our Christian brothers will be evident, for “The one who loves his brother abides in the Light” (1 John 2:10). We will obey His word, for “The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him” (1 John 3:24).

In Christ’s discourse on the vine and the branches (John 15:1-16) are several wonderful promises to the Christian. “He who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit” (John 15:5). “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full” (John 15:11). “...I chose you....that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain” (John 15:16).

If we dwell in Christ, we actually are abiding in the Father and the Spirit also. Jesus said that, “the Spirit of truth...abides with you and will be in you,” and “My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him” (John 14:17, 23).

Therefore, let us “abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming” (1 John 2:28).