ABIDING IN CHRIST
Written by Amy and Patrick Nave
Brookwood Missionary Partners in Fairbanks, Alaska
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:4-5 (NIV)
The word abide means to dwell or remain, or to continue in a particular state or relationship. Often, abide signifies endurance or steadfastness. Abiding in Christ is the central theme in John 15:1-11. So much so that John uses the word abide ten times in eleven verses to point out how meaningful our relationships are to walking with God. We see in this passage that abiding is so much of our daily walk. Abiding is walking daily in a personal relationship with Jesus, characterized by trust, obedience, prayer, and joy. As believers, we must daily strive to walk as close to Jesus as possible, such that if we leave one of these out, our walk will suffer. Also, the ability to bear fruit is dependent upon our walk with Him. We must be abiding in Him for us to produce fruit, but bearing fruit actually does not depend on us at all. Throughout Scripture, we see His power at work in us when we are walking with Him.
I have had a season of walking with my joy incomplete because I have not fully trusted God. Trying to do things on my own or solve problems without going to God first robbed me of what I know Jesus has for me. Often, we listen to the enemy rather than to the word, leaving us feeling empty. As believers, we should listen only to one voice: Jesus, and Him alone. This takes a daily walk with Him and a desire to grow in Him. His Grace is always there for us, and we have that promise as we walk with him.
APPLICATION: Reflect on your daily walk. Are you abiding in His fullness according to His word? Is there complete trust, complete obedience, complete joy? Is your prayer life strengthening these areas, or are these areas lacking?
PRAYER: Father, lead me to abide in You every day. Help me to trust in Your ways, give You my complete obedience, and seek Your provisions for my heart. Give me the desire to talk to You every day in prayer. Help me to give You praise and honor because You are worthy. Amen
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?