What does it actually mean to ‘abide in Christ’? 

 Can we explain in simple terms to a new convert or believer what that means; and even more importantly, can we explain to them how one does that? 

 As ‘mature’ believers, how good of a job are we doing to model what that looks like? 

 And lastly, how important is it for us to abide in Christ and is there a way to even tell or know if we are doing that very thing- abiding in Him? 

So many questions…important questions for sure. I would go as far to say that to not be able to clearly ask, address, and answer these questions could have devastating consequences for so many people. 

May I begin first by stating the obvious: You can be a sincere, devoted, and faithful member of some church who stays busy doing good ‘Christian-like’ works and activities….but not be abiding in Christ. If you have a problem with that statement then you might want to read Matt. 7:21-23 along with 1 Cor. 13:1-4. 

So just how important is it to actually abide in Him -in Christ? 

 Well, I would say it is very important given the fact that if we are not abiding in Him, then we cannot bear the kind of fruit that God desires to see produced in our lives. There is no getting around this. (John 15:3-4). And not having the good fruit He is looking for leaves only one other option: we get cut down and tossed into the ‘fire’. (John 15:6; Matt. 3:10,12; 7:19; Luke 13:6-9; Isa. 5:1-7) Oh, … I would not automatically conclude that this is referring to some ‘eternal hell-fire’ that awaits in the future for multitudes either. 

 Fruit matters. And if you are hearing ‘some voice’ about now whisper to you something along the lines of: “well you are just fine…no need to worry because you are ‘saved’ because you did such and such” …then I would tell you as gently as I can that you better stop and take some serious inventory right now. “Saved” people produce the good fruit that Jesus spoke about and He makes it clear that it will be evident: “By their fruit you will know them.” (Matt. 7:20) 

 Do you know what else He made clear there in that same discussion and passage? He said that “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.” (18) 

I know…that can be problematic and troublesome for many. This is where we get to feeling a bit anxious and go to scrambling to find some book or smart person to explain to us why that does not mean what it really says. Then we get fed ‘formulas’ made up by various denominational church leaders to make us feel better. 

Funny, but the thought occurred to me earlier today that there is ‘mother’s milk’ and then there is baby ‘formula’. I want to think that most would agree that the best or ideal milk for any newborn baby would be the milk from the mother who bore them. I don’t say this with any judgment but there are plenty of mothers who choose not to nurse their newborns and opt out for a variety of reasons to feed their babies ‘formula’, instead. I had been thinking about our discussion from the past few days about being a child of God and the statement Peter makes is fitting here: “As newborn babes, desires the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” (1 Pet. 2:2). 

 I mentioned something the other day how it seems many professing ‘children of God’ today seem to react adversely to the ‘pure milk of the word’ and want to spit it up and reject it. Hence, the need to find some ‘formula’ that man-made doctrines offer up to make us feel better because we don’t like when we read or hear what the bible has to say. Shall we continue on though with our discussion on ‘abiding’? 

 How can one know if they are truly abiding in Christ? And remember, we are not talking about ‘professing to believe’ in Him or ‘studying the word’, maybe even teaching a bible study. This is not about ‘serving’ or singing about Him. Abiding is altogether different and distinct; and let’s face it…we tend to get more sidetracked wanting to make this a discussion about being ‘saved’ or not saved. IF a person is truly abiding in Christ…I think we can safely assume they are ‘saved, being saved, and will be saved’. And whenever that rapture finally occurs…a person who is abiding in Christ need not worry about ‘missing it’. We good with this? ;-) 

 So what does the bible have to say about abiding in Him? You might start with reading what Jesus had to say about it there in John 15:1-8 to begin with. One thing you can quickly conclude by the language used there is that abiding is not ‘automatic’. In other words, the very definition of the word means to remain or ‘continue’ and we do have a choice in that. That is why Paul was so passionate about his travels and ministry wanting to exhort other believers to ‘continue in the faith’. (Acts 11:23; 14:22). We can read in John 6:66 how many disciples chose not…to continue on with Jesus. You and I have that same choice. Let’s not forget that God gave us free will to choose this day…whom we will serve. And you cannot serve two masters. 

I should add here that abiding in Christ is not some ‘extra credit’ thing for ‘super-saints’ to do either. Nor is it a ‘part-time gig’ that we dabble with on days we are ‘feeling more spiritual’. Abiding in Christ becomes a way of life and one cannot do that unless they totally surrender and come to Jesus with all their heart. (John 5:39-40). Anything less is simply a ‘form of godliness’ that is void of the power of God’s Spirit to transform us. (2 Tim. 3:5) 

 Paul did instruct for us to examine ourselves to see if we were indeed abiding in the faith and if Christ was truly in us. (2 Cor. 13:5). 

 So, is there a way of doing that…to measure or gauge if we are abiding in Him? And are you sure if you really want to know the answer to this? These verses, (pure milk of God’s word) tend to make people gag and spit up…and then go scrambling for ‘formulas’ to reassure them all is well with their soul. 

“Whoever says he abides in Him (Jesus) ought himself to be walking just like He (Jesus) walked.” (1 John 2:6) 

“Whoever abides in Him does not sin.” (1 John 3:6) 

“Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” (1 John 3:9) 

Now…before you yell at me through your screen there and ask: “Are you saying you don’t sin?!”…please remember…what I personally do…or don’t do…has absolutely no bearing on what the word says. Can we just agree on that? 

 You may even be tempted to ask the same question the disciples asked of Jesus there in Matt. 19:26 – “Well who then can be saved?” And what did Jesus tell them? 

 So it stands to reason…this ‘going and sinning no more’ is not something anyone can do in their own power or ability for all the obvious reasons. Jesus affirms this: “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) 

 Now we can do one of two things here with what we are reading. We can get offended, shun what God is saying in His word and cling to our man-made’ formulas to make us feel better. Or, we can take a step back…agree with the word and admit that since we have continued to struggle with and practice sin on a regular basis (which most believers admit to doing today), and then conclude that just maybe we have not truly been abiding in Christ. Because if we were….there just might be more of this abundant fruit that brings glory and honor to God. (John 15:8) 

 Nobody is questioning your sincerity or personal experiences from the past. This is simply examining truth from God’s word and exploring the possibility that just maybe we’ve been asleep or missed some key components on what this walk of faith really involves. 

Perhaps this will help some to define or explain what it means to abide in Him. Abiding is almost synonymous with ‘awareness’ from what I have learned. IF one is abiding in Christ, there seems to be a continuous awareness of His presence, His voice, His peace, etc. And here’s the good part…you want…to remain in that place. You want…to do what He says. You want…to repent and turn from anything He points out that needs to go. Unlike the rich young ruler. And for that matter…look how Adam and Even responded after they ate off the tree. What did they do when they heard God’s voice calling them? They ran…and hid. (Gen. 3:8) 

 What did Jesus say about those ‘sheep’ who belonged to Him? They ‘hear His voice, He knows them, and they follow Him.” (John 10:27). In other words, it all goes back to the heart. IF you love Him…with all your heart, you’ll do what He says. (John 14:15). 

 One last thing for today that I would like to stir your memory on from the word. I understand that our default setting is to snap in response and say we don’t know anybody who lives like that…as if the ‘majority’ determines whether God’s word is true or not. Do you recall what the ‘majority’ declared back in Numbers 13-14 when they rose up and rebelled against what God said He was going to do regarding going in to possess the land and overthrowing those giants who were stronger than the people? Yeah…that did not go well for the majority now, did it? And that is the same crowd Paul cited and used as an example to warn us today about lining up with what God has to say. (1 Cor. 10:4-11). You need not fear this word…just let the Holy Spirit reveal and confirm it to you personally.

I mean really...what sincere believer would not want to be totally set free from sin...unless of course, there are certain sins ...they are loving more than God?