Abiding in Christ

Jesus Christ tells his disciples to abide in him

John 15:4–9 NRSV

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I 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 NRSV

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives 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 NRSV

Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you 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 NRSV

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 NRSV

whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought 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 NRSV

As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and so you do not need anyone to 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, 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 NRSV

And now, little children, abide in him, so that when 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

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