Abiding In Christ
At the heart of a full and real Christian life is the idea of abiding in Christ. It stresses staying close to Jesus and getting strength, direction, and food from Him every day. This ongoing relationship isn't just about religious duty; it's also about building a deep, personal relationship with God that changes every part of a believer's life.
Jesus Himself stresses how important it is to stay with Him. He says, "Abide in me, and I in you" in John 15:4-5.
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. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)
In this passage, Jesus shows that the only way to be spiritually alive is to stay connected to Him. Living in dependence on Christ is not a passive state; it is a choice that you must make over and over again.
The Apostle Paul also talks about how important it is to have a lasting relationship with Christ. In Galatians 2:20, he says, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Paul's words show how abiding can change a person's life, where Christ's life affects and supports their daily life.
Practicing abiding in Christ involves developing a consistent prayer life, immersing oneself in Scripture, and maintaining a attitude of dependence and trust. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we will experience a sense of peace, direction, and spiritual fruitfulness. It is through this close relationship that believers find strength during trials and clarity in decision-making.
Author and Pastor Adrian Rogbers has this to say about abiding in Christ:
“To abide in Christ is not a one-time event but a daily journey. It’s about spending quality time with Jesus, listening to His voice, and allowing His Word to shape our hearts.”
Similarly, Pastor Charles Spurgeon once said,
“All our works, our prayers, our sermons, our preachings—all of them are of no avail unless they are rooted in a living connection with Jesus Christ.”
Ultimately, abiding in Christ is essential to living a meaningful Christian life. It takes a daily decision to do it and an open heart to the work of the Holy Spirit. As we stay rooted in Jesus, we will find that living in the loving presence of our Savior all the time is the best place for us to find fulfillment in our lives.
A few years ago, I heard this song entitled “Abide” by Aaron Williams. The first verse and chorus of the song go like this:
For my waking breath for my daily bread, I depend on You, I depend on You
For the sun to rise for my sleep at night, I depend on You, I depend on You
You're the way the truth and the life, You're the well that never runs dry
I'm the branch and You are the vine, draw me close and teach me to abide
My prayer is that God would teach me to abide more in Christ!
