Abiding in Christ

Jesus Christ tells his disciples to abide in him

John 15:4–9 KJV 1900

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

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NT writers exhort believers to abide in Christ

Colossians 2:6 KJV 1900

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

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Abiding in Christ depends upon holding on to his teaching

1 John 2:24 KJV 1900

Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

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It depends on obedience to him

John 15:10 KJV 1900

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

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It requires living like Jesus Christ

1 John 2:6 KJV 1900

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Aids to abiding in Christ

Eating his flesh and drinking his blood

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 KJV 1900

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

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Jesus Christ abides in believers

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.

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By his Spirit

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By faith

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Results of abiding in Christ

Fruitfulness

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.

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Answered prayer

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Freedom from persistent sin

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

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Confidence in the face of the last day

1 John 2:28 KJV 1900

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

Warnings to those who fail to abide in Christ

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