Abide in Jesus

Key Verse to Read and Treasure

Abide in me. (John 15:4, ESV)

For Insight

What does the abiding life in Jesus look like? What does it mean when he says, “Abide in me?”

To abide means “to come and never leave. To remain or stay. To live or to dwell.”

The relationship between husband and wife has potential to look like but sometimes it never reaches its fullest potential. Also the relationship between parent and child, though they will not occupy the same living space for always, yet their hearts remain interconnected. Close friendships can often mirror the kind of abiding Jesus says here, such as the friendship we read about between king David and Saul’s son, Jonathan.  

While we have wonderful examples of abiding through human relationships none can be as excellent or perfect as that kind of or degree of abiding as when we abide in Christ. As the definition points out, to abide in Christ would also mean to come and never leave, to receive Christ and stay with him forever, to live or to dwell in his presence all the days of our life as David often writes in the psalms.    

Jesus wants his sheep to experience the fullness of him and the only way we can do that us to come to him and remain in him. Cling to him. Follow him only. Immerse ourselves in him. Trust in him and depend upon him. Give ourselves fully and deeply to him without reservation.

Abiding in Jesus we entrust our every thought and emotion to him, anchor our soul in him. For the sheep abiding in the Shepherd is the abandoned life and the abandoned life is the only true fruitful, blessed life.

Jesus, forsaking all others I will abide in you. In your name I pray. Amen

For Application

Are you abiding in Christ? Have you abandoned all else to give yourself fully to Christ?

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