Jesus led the way up the dusty path to Gethsemane. Leaving the ancient wall of Jerusalem in the dusk behind them, the Master and His disciples passed through a vineyard. Rows of vines, soon to be laden with clusters of grapes, lined their pathway. Jesus turned to His followers and said,

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 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. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:1-5).

Throughout the ages since, believers have sought to understand and live Jesus’ teaching about abiding in Christ. These words and Jesus’ simple illustration of the vine and the branches hold the key to fruitful Christian living that glorifies God (John 15:8). What does it practically mean to abide in Christ?

Abiding Defined

The word abide is a simple term. It means to remain, stay, or dwell. To abide is to continue in the same place for some stretch of time. The meaning is uncomplicated, but how does a believer abide in a Person?

Abiding Illustrated

Jesus used the word abide in the context of an illustration of a vineyard bursting with grapes. The vine represents Jesus. The branches are believers. The goal is fruit that remains.

Only when the branches remain attached to the vine, depending on the vine for the nutrient-rich sap, can the branches bear fruit. On their own, the branches can produce nothing and are useless. In the same way, only when believers remain attached to Jesus Christ, depending on Him for strength, can they bear spiritual fruit. Abiding is remaining in that close, dependent relationship with Jesus Christ.

Abiding Described

Over the years, many have drafted excellent definitions and descriptions of abiding in Christ. These can further help us to understand and live in this abiding relationship.

Warren Wiersbe wrote that to abide in Christ is “to keep fellowship with Christ so that His life can work in and through us to produce fruit.”[1]

J. C. Ryle encouraged his readers “to keep up a habit of constant close communion with Him – to always be leaning on Him, resting on Him, pouring out our hearts to him, and using Him as our Fountain of life and strength, as our chief Companion and best Friend.”[2]

Merrill Tenney stressed the continuity of abiding. He stated that abiding in Christ is “the maintenance of an unbroken connection rather than repose and bespeaks the necessity of a constant active relationship between the believer and his Lord if the resultant life is to be productive.”[3]

S. Lewis Johnson provided a longer description, drawing from Jesus’ picture of the vine: “Abiding is a word that simply means to dwell in many of its occurrences, and that is the force that we ought to give it. Dwelling in our grace position in Him, not striving, is the key. We abide, or dwell, in Him and draw all that we need for fruitful life from Him. In other words, just like the living branches of the vine, which rest in the vine and draw sap from the roots and trunk for fruit, so we rest in our Lord and draw all our needed strength and enablement for fruitful life from Him, the root of our spiritual life. Believing leads to union with Him, while abiding is communion. Being in Him is the source of life. Abiding in Him is the source of fruit.”[4]

Abiding Summarized

Abiding in Christ is the key to bearing spiritual fruit that glorifies God. It is both union (being saved by grace through faith) and communion (an ongoing relationship of dependence).[5] Without the union, there can be no communion. Without the communion, there can be not fruit.

If you condensed the definition to an acronym using the word ABIDE, it might look something like this:

  • A = always
  • B = be
  • I = in
  • D = dependence (on God)
  • E = everyday (I know. That should be two words.)

Abiding in Christ is living, serving, and laboring for God in constant reliance on Jesus Christ.[6] Abiding is resting in Jesus’ strength, not striving to live for God by your own efforts. Some have misinterpreted this to mean they must “let go and let God,” but that is an over-correction. Others have tried a halfway approach of trying their best until they come to the end of themselves before turning to Christ for help. However, abiding in Christ is the realization that from the very start of every day, you need Jesus. It’s the admission that without Him you can do nothing. Abiding in Christ means that you begin each day in communion with your Savior and then walk with Him step by step through the day.  It’s a constant conversation and an ongoing trust. Abiding in Christ is a continual awareness that “Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20) and that He is working in me and through me as I depend on Him.                                                                                                 

[1] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, New Testament, vol. 1, 355.

[2] J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, vol 4, 104.

[3] Merrill Tenney, John, the Gospel of Belief, 228.

[4] S. Lewis Johnson Jr., Abiding in Christ, Emmaus Journal (Winter 1995), 4:2, 148.

[5] Read more about the importance of abiding in Christ in the life of Hudson Taylor in my missions devotional, Daring Devotion: A 31-Day Journey with those who Lived God’s Promises. See Day 23, p. 139–144.

[6] In Jerry Bridges’ little book, True Fellowship, (pages 35–38), he writes a helpful section on four ways to live the Christian life. It is well worth your attention.