“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."( John 8:31-32)
The meaning of the word "abide," means "to live" or "to dwell." So, to abide in Christ, means to live in Christ together as one person. Jesus Christ and the Word of God are one in the same. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. “ (John 1:14). So, if we will abide in Christ, we will abide in the Word.
Abiding in God’s Word is extremely essential if we want to be followers of Christ; it results in knowing the truth, which sets us free from the bondage of sin. (see Eph. 4:17-24)
If we will abide in the Word, the Word will instruct us and teach us in the way we should go. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shall go: I will guide thee with mine eye. “ (Psalm 32:8).
The meaning of the word "abide," means "to live" or "to dwell." So, to abide in Christ, means to live in Christ together as one person. Jesus Christ and the Word of God are one in the same. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. “ (John 1:14). So, if we will abide in Christ, we will abide in the Word.
Abiding in God’s Word is extremely essential if we want to be followers of Christ; it results in knowing the truth, which sets us free from the bondage of sin. (see Eph. 4:17-24)
If we will abide in the Word, the Word will instruct us and teach us in the way we should go. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shall go: I will guide thee with mine eye. “ (Psalm 32:8).
Jesus said, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)
In the Parable of the Vine in John 15:1-17; we find an illustration that Christ gave His disciples of how their relationship with Him should be. Everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ and confesses Christ as their Lord receives a new position in life. Each new believer goes from being dead in his sins “in Adam” to being alive to God “in Christ.”
In Jesus’ illustration in John 15, God is the gardener, Christ is the true vine, His disciples are the branches held in place by the vine, and the Holy Spirit is the sap that flows from the vine to the branches, giving them the vine’s life and power. The branches cannot bear fruit unless they remain (abide) in the vine at all times. The gardener “grafts” the branches into the vine, and as the branches remain (abide) in this new position, they become “one wood” with the vine.
Christ used this example from nature to help His disciples understand how important daily intimacy and connection with Him would be in their lives in order for them to bear fruit for God’s glory—which is the purpose for which He saves us. God’s vision for each of his children is that we know and become like Jesus. The only way to know and become like Christ is to abide in Him. We abide by surrendering our lives to Him and allowing the Holy Spirit to control us instead of being controlled by our sinful desires.
The most important means by which we abide is the Word of God. In John 15:3, Jesus told His disciples that it was His Words of Truth that had made them clean. In Verse 7, Jesus tells His disciples how important it is to know His Word to have an effective prayer life. His Word is so vital if we are going to abide in the Vine and bear fruit that glorifies God. In order to abide in Christ, we must communicate with Him. Like any relationship, this includes both talking to Him, and listening to Him. The Word of God is His voice in our lives. His Spirit helps us to understand what He is saying through His Word. As we spend time abiding through His Word, we get to know Christ better and we begin to understand His heart, His plans, and His purposes. As we know Him more, we will trust Him more. As we trust Him more, we will surrender to Him more. As we surrender to Him more, we will bear more fruit.
It is important to understand that abiding is the only way that our lives will glorify God because when we abide, we bear the fruit that the vine produces (Gal. 5:22-24 & 2 Peter 1:5-8).
In Jesus’ illustration in John 15, God is the gardener, Christ is the true vine, His disciples are the branches held in place by the vine, and the Holy Spirit is the sap that flows from the vine to the branches, giving them the vine’s life and power. The branches cannot bear fruit unless they remain (abide) in the vine at all times. The gardener “grafts” the branches into the vine, and as the branches remain (abide) in this new position, they become “one wood” with the vine.
Christ used this example from nature to help His disciples understand how important daily intimacy and connection with Him would be in their lives in order for them to bear fruit for God’s glory—which is the purpose for which He saves us. God’s vision for each of his children is that we know and become like Jesus. The only way to know and become like Christ is to abide in Him. We abide by surrendering our lives to Him and allowing the Holy Spirit to control us instead of being controlled by our sinful desires.
The most important means by which we abide is the Word of God. In John 15:3, Jesus told His disciples that it was His Words of Truth that had made them clean. In Verse 7, Jesus tells His disciples how important it is to know His Word to have an effective prayer life. His Word is so vital if we are going to abide in the Vine and bear fruit that glorifies God. In order to abide in Christ, we must communicate with Him. Like any relationship, this includes both talking to Him, and listening to Him. The Word of God is His voice in our lives. His Spirit helps us to understand what He is saying through His Word. As we spend time abiding through His Word, we get to know Christ better and we begin to understand His heart, His plans, and His purposes. As we know Him more, we will trust Him more. As we trust Him more, we will surrender to Him more. As we surrender to Him more, we will bear more fruit.
It is important to understand that abiding is the only way that our lives will glorify God because when we abide, we bear the fruit that the vine produces (Gal. 5:22-24 & 2 Peter 1:5-8).
God’s will for us is not just that we have an intimate relationship with Christ through abiding. His will is that we have an intimate relationship with Christ so that we will bear fruit for His glory.
If we abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit flows from the Vine through us, the branches, bringing to us the life and the power of the Vine. Abiding means daily surrendering our lives to God, allowing Him to work in us and through us.
Dear gracious heavenly Father, Thank you for providing Your Son so we can know You intimately through Him and Your Word. May we abide in Your Word of Truth, and in so doing may we produce much fruit for Your glory. In Jesus name, Amen.
If we abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit flows from the Vine through us, the branches, bringing to us the life and the power of the Vine. Abiding means daily surrendering our lives to God, allowing Him to work in us and through us.
Dear gracious heavenly Father, Thank you for providing Your Son so we can know You intimately through Him and Your Word. May we abide in Your Word of Truth, and in so doing may we produce much fruit for Your glory. In Jesus name, Amen.
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12 comments:
There is no other place I would rather abide and I pray I bear much fruit for Him. Excellent teaching, Michele! Happy Thankful Thursday!
Great post! I agree with you when you said: "It is important to understand that abiding is the only way that our lives will glorify God because when we abide, we bear the fruit that the vine produces"
That's why it's hard for me to understand a Christian who never opens their bible!
Happy TT. God bless.
I often tell my sons to be careful of the friendships they form. we often become like the people we spend the most time with. So one becomes more like Christ the more time one spends in the Word. So often I hear my Savior tell me that I am striving in the flesh to be the person I want to be when the power to do so resides in abiding in Him. When I was first born again and I spent literally 3 hours or more a day in the word I kenw that sweet joy of abiding. I spend time in the word daily...and so much I have hidden in my heart. And I am growing, His Spirit assures me...but oh I remember the joy I had when I spent3-5 hours a day in the Word. Abiding. So key. If we can but grasp it and learn to walk with Him...we will bear fruit. It will be automatic! Great post!
Happy Thankful Thursday Michele. I love to hear the Parable about the vine. What an awesome post this is! I'm with Laurie Ann, there is no other place that I would rather abide. I pray that all who come here to read take away the true meaining of this and how to apply it in their daily living for Him.
Hugs,
Alleluiabelle
I love this chapter of John. Abiding is something that I am focusing on more and more. I want to allow Him to work in and through me. Not me; but Him in me. I'm just the human body He uses.
BTW, I included you in my thankful Thursday post today. I appreciate your prayers for me. I'm beginning to feel better. Thank you so much Michele.
GOD bless you...a beautiful blog with a beautiful message. Blessings and prayers, andrea
http://arise2write.blogspot.com
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This is something I struggle with now and then. Getting that alone time to abide in His word. Thank you so much for posting this and encouraging me so.
Totally trusting, totally resting, totally abiding...Lord's that's where I want to be and stay.
Awesome teaching dear.
i love the recent book i read which says - faith is trusting God at His Word. His Word is life and when we abide in His Word, it sets us free from the bondage of sin and we can live a victorious life God intended for all of us to live.
blessings to you, michelle.
Thanks for sharing with us, Michele. Thanks for this precious reminder that God's will is that we have an intimate relationship with Christ so that we will bear fruit for His glory. May God continue to bless you walk and labours of love for Him. Take care!
God bless,
Nancie
Amen! Loved the post. Have a wonderful day!
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