The Call to Abide: Understanding Jesus’ Command
Jesus’ commands are not one-time decisions, but a lifelong commitment to follow Him. He calls us to continually repent, come to Him, believe in Him, love Him, and listen to His word. This transformation is ongoing, and our minds and hearts must be engaged every day.
The Meaning of Abiding
In John 15:4-5, Jesus uses the analogy of a vine and its branches to explain what it means to abide in Him. He is the vine, and we are the branches. If we stay connected to Him, we will bear fruit and live a fruitful life of Christ-like love. The power to bear fruit comes from Jesus, and apart from Him, we can do nothing.
The Importance of Ongoing Devotion
Abiding in Jesus is not a one-time transaction, but an ongoing devotion. It means staying vitally connected to Him, hour by hour, and trusting that He is loving us at every moment. This trust is not based on our circumstances, but on the certainty of His love and the truth of His words.
How to Abide in Jesus
So, how do we abide in Jesus? It’s not by bearing fruit or keeping His commandments, although these are the results of abiding. Rather, it’s by trusting in the truth of His words and the certainty of His love. We must continually believe that we are loved by Jesus and that everything He has revealed about Himself and His work is true.
The Role of Prayer
Jesus does not leave us to ourselves in this battle to abide. He prays for us, and His prayers are sovereignly decisive. In John 17:11-12, Jesus prayed to His Father to keep us in His name, and in Luke 22:31-32, He prayed for Simon Peter’s faith not to fail. We are not idle in this battle, but in the end, the battle is assured because it does not depend finally on us.
Conclusion
Abiding in Jesus is a call to trust in the one who keeps us trusting. It’s a call to continually believe in His love and the truth of His words. As we abide in Him, we will bear fruit and live a life worthy of the gospel. May we respond to this call and experience the joy of abiding in Jesus.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to abide in Jesus?
- How do we abide in Jesus?
- What role does prayer play in our ability to abide in Jesus?
- What are the results of abiding in Jesus?
Further Reading
- John 15:1-17
- John 17:1-26
- Luke 22:31-32
- 1 John 2:1-6
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