Abide in Christ

 

Understanding the Picture

We are all looking for clear direction and guidance concerning the metaphors and symbolic language of Scripture. I think that this is the amazing gift of what the Lord has revealed to us in using such word pictures and metaphors rather than merely giving instructions. For most of my life, if asked what it means to abide in Christ, I would eventually end up answering, "I know when I am doing it." Because it is an action that a believer may be doing or not doing at any given time. That is the first thing that we have to prove.

Is John 15 directed to believers today? Many would limit the context to the apostles in their time—a message to the nation of Israel. Those who would abide in Christ, such as the disciples, would be fruitful. Those who refused to abide in Christ would be set aside, disciplined, and judged. The A.D. 70 destruction of the temple would be a final expression of this. There is much to commend this interpretation. It is deeply contextual. It asks that all-important question: What did this mean to the original audience who heard Jesus' words?

However, it is a bit less comfortable with the greater context. John is the only Gospel written with the Church so clearly in mind. Jesus is presented as the Son of God, the Savior of the world. (John 20:30–31; John 4:42) That is an important textual clue.

Is Abiding Salvation?

So what does this mean? Is it about an individual who chooses to abide in Christ by trusting Him for salvation? This certainly fits with the rest of the Gospel. John wrote the Gospel of belief, and it is here, if not everywhere else, that the doctrine of salvation by faith alone through grace alone in Christ alone is set clearly forth. (John 3:16; John 5:24; John 6:47)

So if this "abiding" of John 15 is simply symbolic language for trusting in Jesus for salvation, we have the encouraging conclusion that a person must trust in Christ for salvation. And those who refuse to trust Christ are on their own. (John 3:18)

The Historical Understanding

The overwhelming consensus of Church history is that this is giving spiritual advice for all people in the Church Age. The image of a branch that abides in the vine is an image of continual vital engagement. The engagement is poetic and powerful. The branch needs continual attachment to its nutrient source in order to be fruitful. This kind of engagement gives a picture of a person clinging to Christ. And apart from Christ the Christian is surely not productive. (John 15:5)

This application seems clear enough. Jesus then says, "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you." (John 15:7) This gives us a new dimension of explanation to the act of abiding. That the believer abides in Christ—presumably by continued exercise of faith—and the Word must abide within the believer. The image of the truth of God's Word not just being heard, but being stored within the life of the believer is an essential part of this union. (Colossians 3:16)

What Does It Mean to Abide?

So what does it mean to abide in Christ?

The last option provides the most satisfying answer as to why the Holy Spirit included this critical discourse in this unique record of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The believer abides in the True Vine by actively choosing to trust Jesus Christ. The Vine abides in the branch through the indwelling Holy Spirit and the Word of God taking up residence in the life of the believer. (John 14:16–17; Colossians 3:16) The union between Christ and the believer is intimate, relational, and enriching.

This issue is often addressed in ways that make it more complex or confusing. Many will go wildly into mysticism and into the world of techniques and actions that go far beyond the text. The merits or failures of such techniques are not the scope of this examination. Except to say that any understanding of this text that is based upon an esoteric technique, experience, or repetitive action that is far beyond the reach of the text is surely incorrect.

Remain in Him

Abiding, dwelling, or remaining in Christ are all ways of saying: continue to look to Christ and trust continually in Him. Trusting in His person and work, trusting in His Word, and trusting in His promises. (Hebrews 12:2; Romans 4:20–21)

Get there, and stay there... remain, abide, dwell.

It is not a mystical step that we must level up to achieve or attain. It is available to every believer at every moment. It will result in the life that the Lord can reward and that we can enjoy. (2 Corinthians 5:10; John 15:11)

Abide in Christ, dear believer.