Abiding in Christ

Jesus Christ tells his disciples to abide in him

John 15:4–9 NKJV

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

See also Mt 24:10–13; Lk 9:62; Jn 6:67

NT writers exhort believers to abide in Christ

Colossians 2:6 NKJV

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

See also Ga 4:9; Ga 5:5–6; Col 3:1–3; Heb 12:1–3

Abiding in Christ depends upon holding on to his teaching

1 John 2:24 NKJV

Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.

See also Jn 8:31; 2 Th 2:15; 2 Ti 3:14; 2 Jn 9; 3 Jn 3–4

It depends on obedience to him

John 15:10 NKJV

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

See also Mt 7:24–25; Jn 14:23; Jas 1:25; 1 Jn 3:24

It requires living like Jesus Christ

1 John 2:6 NKJV

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Aids to abiding in Christ

Eating his flesh and drinking his blood

Jn 6:56 Jn 6:35-40 gives the primary explanation of this verse as being a metaphor of the believer coming in faith to Jesus Christ, “the bread of life”. But the verse also reflects the language of the Lord’s Supper.

The Spirit’s anointing

1 John 2:27 NKJV

But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

See also Jn 14:17; Jn 14:23; Ro 8:9; 1 Jn 3:24

Jesus Christ abides in believers

Jn 15:4 It is clear that the believer’s “abiding in Christ” and Jesus Christ’s “abiding in him” are closely connected, although the verse does not make their exact relationship clear. Because of Jesus Christ’s indwelling by his Spirit, believers are able to continue to live as his disciples; as they do so, the reality of his indwelling presence is deepened.

See also Jn 17:23; Col 1:27; 1 Jn 3:24; Re 3:20

By his Spirit

Jn 14:17; Ro 8:9–10; 1 Co 3:16; 1 Jn 2:27

By faith

Eph 3:17–19; Ga 2:20

Results of abiding in Christ

Fruitfulness

Jn 15:4–5 The picture of “bearing fruit” may cover many aspects of Christian life but it includes that of developing Christian character, effective Christian service and mission. These result, not from human effort, but from abiding in Christ.

See also Ga 5:22–23

Answered prayer

Jn 15:7; Jn 15:16

Freedom from persistent sin

1 Jn 3:6–9 John is not saying that Christians are absolutely sinless. He says elsewhere that to claim sinless perfection is to deceive oneself (1Jn 1:8). But when people are born again there is the real possibility of living lives in which sin is not the norm. As believers abide in Christ more deeply, the grip of sin upon their lives is lessened.

Relationship with God the Father

See also Jn 14:23; 2 Jn 9

Confidence in the face of the last day

1 John 2:28 NKJV

And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

Warnings to those who fail to abide in Christ

Mt 24:12–13; Jn 15:2; Jn 15:6; 1 Co 15:2; Heb 6:4–6