Abiding in Christ

Jesus Christ tells his disciples to abide in him

John 15:4–9 LEB

4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as the branch is not able to bear fruit from itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him—this one bears much fruit, for apart from me you are not able to do anything. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and dries up, and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you bear much fruit, and prove to be my disciples. 9 “Just as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love.

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NT writers exhort believers to abide in Christ

Colossians 2:6 LEB

6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, live in him,

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Abiding in Christ depends upon holding on to his teaching

1 John 2:24 LEB

24 As for you, what you have heard from the beginning must remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.

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It depends on obedience to him

John 15:10 LEB

10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

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It requires living like Jesus Christ

1 John 2:6 LEB

6 The one who says that he resides in him ought also to walk just as that one 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 LEB

27 And as for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you do not have need that anyone teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you reside 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 LEB

28 And now, little children, remain in him, so that whenever he is revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame before him at his coming.

Warnings to those who fail to abide in Christ

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