It Takes Two to Abide

 

You are clean already because of the word that I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.  John 15:3-4

 Well, we’re a full week into this study and I think it’s high time I finally break down what it means to “Abide in Jesus.” I realize that there is so much more to learn, otherwise there wouldn’t be five more weeks of content, but I wanted to highlight what, exactly, it is that we are learning. I spent some time this morning reading dictionaries and theological posts on this in an attempt to ascertain precisely what it means to “Abide.”

 Some of it surprised me, though it shouldn’t have. I have always seen the instruction given by Jesus to “Abide in me,” as a clarion call to go forth and do something. I thought this was a directive for what I was to accomplish. Turns out, it’s something He’s already accomplished! As I looked at Got Question’s response as to what it means to abide in Christ, I was shocked. They postulate that abiding in Christ is synonymous with salvation. That is to say that everyone who is truly saved abides in Christ. It is not something that we do of ourselves, it is something that He does in us. At first, I was not in agreement as abiding had always been taught to me as something I must do/accomplish. Or maybe I just have misinterpreted teaching all this time. But the more I read, and then went on to read other things, and then went back to read the definitions of “Abide” in various dictionaries, the more it made sense.

 But that’s not all there is to it. While abiding is first an act accomplished in us through the Holy Spirit, it continues as an act of submission on our parts as well. I love how the author put it on this website:

Abiding in Christ means allowing His Word to fill our minds, direct our wills, and transform our affections.

 The word that stands out to me here is, “allowing.” God’s doing most of the work here, our job is just to be open to it, to accept it, maybe even to embrace it. Once again, we are reminded that it is not up to us to accomplish God’s work, it’s up to Him. He is bringing forth in us both the desire and effort as we explored last week in Philippians 12:13. Our role is to partner with Him, to not hinder Him.

 In my mind is the image of a young child getting a haircut. Sometimes they get so upset! I’m not sure what they think will happen, maybe they’re afraid that it will hurt, but oh the relief when it is over and they realize it wasn’t so bad after all. I see myself in that. God has something He wants to do in me and oh, I’m so afraid! I don’t know why. I love my Father, God. I trust Him. I know He has the best for me. But still everything that’s happening looks so scary! Then, when it’s all over, I look back in amazement at what He’s put together, and I am filled with joy and awe. You’d think after decades of this I wouldn’t get so upset in the process, but here I am!

Side note: It took a lot of haircuts before this blessed child finally realized the world wouldn't end when they happened. It's amazing that he didn't end up with a permanent ponytail, but he didn't like hair in his eyes either!

Here's the Thing: God’s part of abiding is what He accomplished for us on the cross through Jesus as well as what He is actively doing in us day by day. Our part of it is not fighting Him on it at the very least, and ideally partnering with Him in it. I need to embrace God and join Him in what He is at work doing in and around me.

Abiding in Jesus

  1. Week 1: Trusting the Gardener's Work
    1. John 15:1 - Seven Things Jesus Is
    2. John 15:2 - Pinch Those Suckers Out!
    3. Philippians 2:12-13 - Working Out My Salvation
    4. Matthew 5:16 - Stay Salty!
    5. 1 John 1:6 - Walking in Relationship
  2. Week 2: Bearing Lasting Fruit
    1. John 15:3-4 - It Takes Two to Abide
    2. John 15:5 - Grafted In
    3. John 15:6 - The Most Important Post You'll Ever Read
    4. Psalm 1:1-3 - What We Expect to See
    5. Galatians 5:22
  3. Week 3: Abiding in Jesus Through His Word
    1. John 15:7-8
    2. John 8:31-32
    3. Psalm 119:9-11
    4. Psalm 119:15-16
    5. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  4. Week 4: Abiding in Jesus Through Obedience
    1. John 15:9-10
    2. James 1:22
    3. 1 John 3:24
    4. Matthew 7:24-25
    5. John 14:23-24
  5. Week 5: Abiding in Jesus Through Love
    1. John 15:11-12
    2. John 15:13-14
    3. 1 John 4:10
    4. 1 John 4:11-12
    5. Romans 12:9-13
  6. Week 6: Chosen and Commissioned by Christ to Bear Fruit
    1. John 15:15
    2. John 15:16
    3. Ephesians 2:10
    4. Galatians 6:9
    5. John 15:17

Wrap-Up

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