"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me" (John 15:4).
The great theme of abiding in Christ finds its fullest expression here in the 15th chapter of John, where the word occurs at least ten times (it is also translated "continue," and "remain"). Abiding in Christ is not a sort of pious spirituality, as some have said, but one that produces godly, practical living. If we consciously abide (or "continue") in Him, it will make a great difference in our lives. "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked" (I John 2:6). If we are truly living in Christ, and He in us, we will be living as He would live, "And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us" (I John 3:24).
When one is abiding in Christ, he will produce much spiritual fruit, and will experience many answers to prayer. "He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. . . . If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:5, 7). Furthermore, that fruit which is borne will "remain" (John 15:16).
To "abide in Christ" is simply to "walk, even as He walked," for He has left us an "example, that |we| should follow His steps" (I Peter 2:21). But this requires that His words must abide in us. "If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father" (I John 2:24). And now, as His return is near, it is more important than ever that we "abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming" (I John 2:28). HMM
