Abiding in Him

 

Central Thought: Abiding in Christ guarantees fruitfulness

 

Text: John 15:1-17

 

No branch of a tree ever flourishes and bears fruit without being attached to the main tree.  By attaching to the tree, the branches have access to the supply of water and nutrients for survival, growth and fruitfulness.  Also, the branch could withstand the disaster of wind storms because it is anchored to the tree.  Generally, the branch draws life from the tree (it’s source) and without the tree, the branch withers and becomes good for nothing but ‘food’ for fire.

The Lord describes the relationship between Himself and His followers in terms of the “true” vine and the branches while the Father is the vine keeper.  The life of the believer is exactly like that of the branch and the vine.  The believer is to remain connected to Christ for His life to flow through him and produce spiritual fruits.  It is obvious that a life that does not abide in Christ is a worthless and dead life.  It is a life tossed and blown around by the enemy; a life cut-off from the source.  This study seeks to encourage the believers to remain in Christ, the true vine, to trust and depend absolutely on Him, live in obedience to the word and in His love.

 

1. What does it mean to abide in Christ? John 15:1-7, 8:31; Mark 3:14; Matthew 4:19-20

Jesus used the analogy of the branch and the vine stating that, the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abides in the vine.  Jesus said he is the vine, while we are the branches, except the branch remain attached to the vine, it can bear no fruit.  In the same vein, except we remain in Christ we cannot have contentment and sufficiency.  As the branch cannot exist without the vine, we can do nothing without Him.

To abide in Christ therefore, means to remain in Christ.  This implies not having any substitute, alternative, or “plan B” to following Christ.  It is an absolute dependence and trust in Christ.  It is a resolve to hold tenaciously to Christ in spite of all situations.  It is a non-conditional mindset to be in Christ and follow Him always.  Such an individual must treasure the word of God and fellowship with God.

Abiding in Christ is more than being a church member.  Although it is good to go to church and belong to a local assembly, it is more important to have a personal relationship with God, through the Lord Jesus Christ.  That is the only thing that counts and can pass through the test of time unto eternity; it is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  Everyone is therefore encouraged to deliberately seek fellowship and remain in fellowship with Christ.

2. How do we abide in Him? John 15:4-17; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12, 10:38-42; Colossians 3:1-2

The starting point for abiding is first to be attached as a branch to the vine, i.e. you must become a part of the vine.  This is done by giving your life to God; being born again is not just going to church, but consciously saying the ‘sinners prayer’, i.e. asking God to forgive your sins, and asking Him to come into your life as your Lord and Savior, and then making deliberate decisions to serve the Lord faithfully, committedly, while forsaking all that is contrary to His will and purpose and living a life that is pleasing unto Him, John 3:16.

After being saved, the believer must study the word of God daily; this is the only way we can grow.  As new born babes study the word the ye may grow thereby, 1 Peter 2:2.  We are admonished in 2 Timothy 2:15 to study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Jesus emphasized that the word is one thing that is needful.  He illustrated the importance and relevance of the word, with the instance of Mary and Martha, stating that Mary hath chosen the one thing that is needful which is the good part.  Like Martha, most of us are careful and troubled about many things, thereby neglecting the one thing that is needful which is the word of God, Luke 10:38-42.  To abide therefore, we must deliberately make out time to study the word of God.  Despite the various activities competing for our time, attention must be given to the word, as there is no better way to abide in Christ.

Another vital aspect for abiding in Him is to be prayerful.  Jesus our Lord Himself laid down a perfect example for us to follow.  If He that is God had to pray; what about us?  Every believer therefore must make out time to be alone with God in prayers.  This must be besides corporate or family prayers.  We must develop a personal relationship with God in prayers, choosing the time that beset suits us to pray, be it at night, early hours of the day or whenever we are less distracted.  Conscious, deliberate efforts must be made to set out time to pray.  We are not to be ignorant of the devices of the devil, we must be quick to realize that the devil does everything to hinder us from praying, knowing that great dynamic power is made available to us, in the place of prayers.

Another way we can abide in Him according to Colossians 3:1 is to set our affection on things that are above.  Our value system must be redefined.  Luke 12:33-34 is definite about our value, stating clearly that our heart is where our treasure is.  We must therefore place premium value on our making eternity.  God must be our treasure.  We must always remind ourselves of Luke 12:15 that ‘a man’s life consisteth not of the things, which he possesseth.’  The reason why many have abandoned the vine is because of the pursuit for perishable things that have no eternal value.  A constant reminder of the need to spend eternity with God and having a focus that we can only make heaven when we abide, is a sure way of abiding, as this will enable us shun every distraction.  This involves setting our minds on spiritual things, i.e.  things that are of eternal value.

We must also daily obey the commands of God unconditionally; as well as willingly desiring and deliberately pleasing the Lord even when it is not convenient.  This enhances our intimate fellowship and walk with God.  This will include loving God and loving one another.

3. Why should we abide in Him? John 15:7-10

A lot of reasons abound why we should abide in Him.  Some of these reasons include staying connected to the vine, to be alive, to grow and to bear fruits.

A very important reason why we must abide in Him is for us to be pruned, as it is only the branches that bear fruits that are pruned, to enable it produce more fruits.

We must abide as we are not self-sufficient, God is our source from whom we receive life and nourishment.  We must constantly remind ourselves that, the branch cannot survive alone.  Just as once a branch is detached from the vine it withers and dies, so can we not survive without God our Savior.  Death is imperative when we choose not to abide in Him, and this could be spiritual or physical death.

Jesus declaring the need why we should abide emphasized that, we can do nothing without Him.  Verse 7 of our text is explicit and further states that one of the reasons why we should abide in Him is for our prayers to be answered; this is very crucial to our Christian faith.  It implies that most prayer that seem unanswered could be linked to our failure to abide in Him.

God expressly stated that there is nothing He would do and hide form Abraham, Genesis 18:17.  Abraham was called the friend of God and God had to reveal secrets to him, even the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Genesis 18:17-33.  Jesus said we are no more servants but friends and this position expressly endows us with the secrets of the Father, John 15:15.  Therefore a major reason why we should abide in Him is to know the mind of God and receive from Him.

Attachment of the branch to a tree protects it from storms and the effect of winds.  Life’s journey comes with various forms of storms and turbulence.  We therefore need to abide and to be hidden in Him, which would empower us to withstand the storms of life.  All the blessings of Psalm 91 are hinged on the condition of dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, abiding in Him; when we abide in Him; all the wonderful blessings become ours.

In verse 4 of the scripture text, the believer is commanded to abide in Him.  It is not an option or alternative.  It is a command from the Lord Jesus.  It is important for us to note that this command does not give room for partial abiding.  It requires our total commitment to God.

4. How do we know that we are abiding in Christ? 1 John 2:3-6, 4:7-19

The scriptures say ‘the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the sons of God’, Romans 8:16.  This implies that if we are abiding, we must have a witness deep in our soul, that we are the sons of God.

A further requirement for the branch to abide in the vine is to be fruitful; for any branch which beareth not fruit is taken away, John 15:12.  We must therefore, bear fruits of righteousness which is a major determinant to know we are abiding.  Show me a man that is holy, and you will see a man that is abiding in Christ.  Some of the evidence that we are abiding in Him include:  Obedience to His word; fruit bearing, which include winning souls, fruits of righteousness and holiness to the praise of God.

We cannot abide in Him and live in the flesh; and evidence that we dwell in Him is that we walk in the Spirit.

A further evidence of our abiding in Him is in our spiritual growth and intimacy with God.

5. What are some of the hindrances to abiding in Christ?

A major hindrance to abiding in Christ is sin.  We must therefore avoid sin and all its appearance, knowing that the eyes of God are too holy to behold sin.

Worldliness and the pursuit of this life is another hindrance.  The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life, will hinder a believer who is unsuspecting from abiding in Christ.

Prayerlessness and failure of being active in the work of God is another reason that hinders us from abiding in Him.

6. What are the consequences of not abiding in Him? John 15:6

Some of them are as follows:

The first thing that happens to the man who does not abide in Christ is that, he is cut off from God’s supply of nourishment.  Since he is cut off from the source of nutrients, he ceases to grow.  Such a person starts running form ‘pillar to post’ as a result of the storms of life; not having the succor and assurance from the word of God.  This has grave consequences as the person’s spiritual life withers.

In addition, such a person lacks joy, has no revelation in the things of God and becomes fruitless in spiritual things, even when that person seems to prosper by the judgement of men.

7. What are the benefits of abiding in Him?

The benefits of abiding in Him include among others: peace, joy, answers to prayers, fruit bearing, and boldness to witness.  Apart from these, there are numerous eternal benefits, John 15:7; Revelation 3:5, 12, 21.

 

Daily Living Application:

It is an indisputable fact that no branch of a tree can survive, let alone grow and bear fruits, without being attached to the main tree.  In like manner, no child of God can be spiritually alive, grow and bear fruit without abiding in Christ.  Abiding in Christ is therefore a necessity for every believer and we should maintain an intimate walk and relationship with Him.  This is the only sure way we can please the Lord and spend eternity with our Savior.

 

Memory Verse:

John 15:5 – “I am the vine, you are the branches:  He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruits; for without me you can do nothing.”