ABIDING IN CHRIST

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:4-5

TO WHOM IS THIS COMMAND IS GIVEN? 

To those who are already in Him.

The Greek word meno means to remain, stay, to stand fast, dwell, abide, continue, wait, last, endure, be permanent.

J.C. Ryle

Abide in me, says Jesus. 

Cling to me.
Stick fast to me.
Live the life of close and intimate communion with me.
Get nearer to me.
Roll every burden on me.
Never let go your hold on me for a moment.
Be, as it were, rooted and planted in me.
Do this and I will never fail you.
I will ever abide in you.

ABIDING IN CHRIST

1. Abiding in Jesus first of all means having a life-giving connection to him. A branch is connected to the vine, and a vine to the branch. This is what theologians frequently describe as “union with Christ.” Notice that this connection, this union, is mutual. We abide in him and he abides in us ( John 15:4). If there is no connection, there is no life, no fruit. 
2. Abiding also implies dependence. This aspect of abiding, unlike connection, is not reciprocal. The branch is dependent on the vine, but the vine is not dependent on the branch. The branch derives its life and power from the vine. Without the vine, the branch is useless, lifeless, powerless. Sap flows from the vine to the branch, supplying it with water, minerals, and nutrients that make it grow. And believers receive the “sap” of Christ’s grace through our life-giving connection to him. We are completely dependent upon Jesus for everything that counts as spiritual fruit (15: 4). Apart from him, we can do nothing (15:5).
3. Abiding also involves continuance. In fact, “abide” (Greek, meno) means to remain, or stay, or continue. For example, in John 1:38-39, two of the disciples who first encountered Jesus asked him “Where are you staying?” They wanted to know where Jesus made his residence. The word “staying” is the same word translated “abide” in John 15. To abide is to reside. To abide is to continue, to stay, to remain.
4. Another aspect of abiding in Jesus is remaining in Jesus. This simply means that we go on trusting, that we keep on depending, that we never stop believing. To abide in Jesus is to persevere in Jesus and his teaching. This is what Jesus is talking about in John 8:31-32, when he says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

🛈Source: Brian Hedges via my friend Avis

Tip:Read Brian's great article about abiding HERE

When we abide in Jesus, we can be confident that He will answer our prayer to "Keep me as the apple of the eye" and to "Hide me in the shadow of His wings." (Ps 17:8).

Closer, Lord, to Thee I come,

Light of life Divine;

Through the ever Blessed Son,

Joy and peace are mine;

Let me in Thy love abide,

Keep me ever near Thy side,

In the "Rock of Ages" hide, —

Closer, Lord, to Thee."

Our lives constantly manifest
what we truly think about God!