Abiding in Spiritual Disciplines

The Bible uses several different terms to talk about the Christian goal of becoming more like Jesus.

It is referred to as training (1Timothy 2:7-8), disciplining (1 Corinthians 9:27), walking (Galatians 5:16,22-24), maturing (Colossians 1:28), and transforming (2 Corinthians 3:18), just to name a few.

In John 15:1-11, Jesus refers to this goal as abiding.

All the varied terms the Bible uses to refer to the goal of being formed into the likeness of Christ have different nuances and emphasize distinct benefits.

For example, the meaning behind “abide” emphasizes the need Christians have to rest in Jesus and receive from Him His life, which conforms us into His image.

It is this theme of abiding—as it appears in John 15:1-11—that we wish to unpack in this chapter on biblical counseling and spiritual formation.

Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser...Abide in me, and I in you.

As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:1,4).

The Gospel of John is well known for the usage of the “I AM” sayings.

In these sayings, John quotes Jesus making a metaphorical statement about His identity which states a specific benefit from the incarnate “I AM” to His people.

Jesus is the gate through whom His people can enter and find pasture (John 10:9).

He is the bread of life on whom His people can feed, and be eternally rid of their hunger (John 6:39).

He is the way, the truth, and the life who affords access to the Father (John 14:6).

He is the resurrection, in whom Christians live even though they die (John 11:25).

He is the light, who keeps His followers from walking in darkness (John 8:12).

He is the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

John 15 records the last of these “I AM” statements, in which Jesus declares Himself to be the true vine.

The statement is ripe with biblical significance.

The imagery of the vine is one God frequently uses to speak of His people Israel in the Old Testament.

One very interesting aspect to note about the use of this metaphor, however, is that every time God uses it to talk about His Old Covenant people, it is always in connection with the failure of the vine (for example, Ezekiel 15).

In the midst of repeated illustrations about the failure of the vine of Israel, Jesus comes along and declares that He is the true vine.

As the true vine, Jesus is the fulfillment of everything His Old Covenant people were supposed to be but could not be apart from Him.

Jesus declares Himself to be the vine that His people need for sustenance and life.

Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it is connected to the vine, neither can people have life if they are not connected to Christ.

This passage is about spiritual formation that comes through a vital, life-giving union with the Son of God. It calls people to spiritual formation—not with the language of discipline, but with a vibrant invitation to live and abide in Christ Himself.

This passage gives hope to all of us because we all fail at being “spiritually disciplined enough” to please God.

But what does it mean to abide?

If abiding in Jesus is critical to being formed into His likeness, then how can we make that happen?

Abiding and the Spiritual Disciplines

John’s language of abiding rings with themes of life rather than discipline, but that does not mean that it does not have anything to do with what are often called spiritual disciplines.

In fact, Jesus links abiding to three practical and tangible realities—Bible reading, prayer, and obedience.

In John 15, Jesus calls us to abide in Him by dwelling in His Word.

He says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you...” (John 15:7).

A few chapters earlier in John, Peter rightly said to Jesus: “You have the words of eternal life.”

Jesus’ words are words of life.

So if we want to have His very life flowing through us, we must regularly take in His life-giving words.

Of course, this happens by reading the Bible because it is there that we have an inspired and trustworthy living word written so that we would believe in Him and have life in His name (John 20:31).

When we draw near to Christ through His Word, the Spirit transforms us, exposes us, and comforts our hearts (Romans 12:2; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

In this same passage, Jesus also calls us to abide in Him by seeking Him through prayer.

He says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish...” (John 15:7).

First, Jesus talks of our need to abide by listening to God’s Word as He speaks to us.

Now, Jesus talks of our need to abide by speaking our words to God.

This is a beautiful picture of relationship.

Abiding is not a divine monologue, but a high and holy interaction between the Father and His children.

Jesus wants us to come to the Father asking requests that have been shaped by the words we take in from Scripture.

One of the most important means of abiding, and of spiritual formation, is approaching the throne of grace and talking with the Father through prayer so that we might receive mercy during our time of need (2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 4:16).

Finally, Jesus calls us to abide in Him by obeying His commands.

He says, “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” (John 15:10).

This is important.

Abiding is not limited to those things that are obviously spiritual, like prayer and reading Scripture.

It has also to do with living all of life in ways that honor God (Romans 12:1).

Abiding by living life as Jesus commands is not about legalistic drudgery, but is fundamentally a matter of experiencing Jesus’ love.

The text is clear: We abide in love when we keep Jesus’ commandments.

If we desire to be spiritually formed into the image of Jesus, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow our Redeemer in obedience (Matthew 16:24).

Jesus’ threefold approach to abiding is also seen in Philippians 4:4-9:

Philippians 4:4–9 KJV 1900

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

There is an emphasis on prayer as Paul encourages Christians to make their requests known to God by prayers and supplications.

There is also an emphasis on obedience as Paul encourages Christians to practice the things they have learned, and received, and heard.

Abiding with Christ in prayer, Bible reading, and obedience are the primary means that Jesus gives His people to grow close in relationship to Him.

It is important to make clear, however, that it is not through the practice of these disciplines that we come to know Christ in the first place.

Abiding is a sweet grace, but it is a grace that flows from our salvation, and not a grace that leads to our salvation.

In John 15:3 Jesus says, “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.”

Notice that Jesus’ exhortation for His people to abide comes after His declaration that they are already clean.

Why is this sequence important?

One the one hand, we do not have to despair because our righteousness in Christ is not based on our works of abiding.

On the other hand, we should not become passive in our walk in Christ because abiding with Christ in these practical ways reflects our righteous standing in Him.

Such practical realities are good news.

Abiding is about life, but it is not mystical and nebulous.

Jesus calls us to abide with Him in ways that are practical and tangible.

We do not have to be “super spiritual” in order to abide.

We are already spiritual because of Jesus’ cleansing Word and because He has brought us into union with Himself.

The goal of spiritual formation is to grow in this spirituality by abiding in Jesus in prayer, Bible reading, and obedience to Jesus’ loving commands.