When Christ Abides

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

For Insight

Jesus says, “abide in me and I will abide in you.” Could there be any higher or deeper spirituality than this?

Do you notice how we must be willing to abide in Jesus, first? This is similar to what the apostle James writes when he says if we draw near to God he will draw near to us (Read James 4:8). Jesus is here, he is receptive, even inviting, yet we must want to be in relationship with him as much as he desires to be in relationship with us.

We cannot just say we have a reciprocal, abiding relationship. The proof of an abiding relationship with Christ is evident in the way we live, move, and have our being (Read Acts 17:28). 

My husband and I love to make smoothies at home using a mixture of fruits and veggies. Somedays, depending on our tastes I may put a layer of spinach, or greens, add some bananas, strawberries, blueberries, or other fruit, sprinkle in some nuts and ice chips, it all depends on what we have in the house. Then I will begin the blending process. It only takes a second or two before the ingredients combine to the point I can’t tell one from the other; everything is mixed together. The longer I blend the more everything changes. Our smoothie will take on the color of the most dominant ingredient. Pretty soon everything is well blended and ready for consumption.

This is what the abiding life Jesus wants us to have in him and the life he wants to have in us is like.

When Jesus abides, he is woven through the fabric or interior of our soul. It is no longer we who live but Christ who lives in us (Read Galatians 2:20). In true abiding we cannot tell where we leave off and Jesus begins and vice versa.

There is no question of how the abiding relationship looks. It takes us to a new level in our living, emotions, speaking, thinking, relating with Jesus and those around us.  

Jesus, I want to abide in you so you can abide in me. Amen

Apply

Does the abiding life you enjoy with Jesus and Jesus has in you resemble a holy smoothie?

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