My wife asked me a question, “If you were to choose 3 people to have dinner with either dead or alive, who would they be?” I said Jesus, and before I said anything further, she interrupted; “You cannot choose Jesus, God or Holy Spirit”. I said well…… and then she interrupted again; “You cannot choose anybody in the Bible”.
The fact that I had ready-made answers to her unusual questions shows the state of my heart. The Bible says as a man thinks in his heart, so he is. This shows the type of relationship I have with my Lord.
The command to “abide in me” means to maintain an unbroken, unhindered, continual and active fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a life that is continually dependent on the Lord in loving obedience to HIS commandments. It is a life that is centred on Christ; which reflects in our actions, words and our relationship with people. When you abide in Christ, it means you share the same value with our Lord and value what HE values.
Jesus’ focus while on earth was all about the kingdom of God and that should be our focus as well. When our lives are centred on Christ, the kingdom of God becomes our focus as well.
It is worth knowing that only a true believer can abide in the Lord. Only those that are saved can abide in the Lord. An unsaved person needs to receive Christ before he can abide in Christ.
What happens when we abide?
We become fruitful, more fruitful and much more fruit
To be fruitful in this context means making new believers, spreading the word of God, fellowshipping with our Lord, exercising our faith, living by the word of God and being useful to the kingdom of God. Being fruitful also involves using the talents HE has given us for HIS glory.
He prunes us
In nature, pruning is a process done to fruit-bearing plants to facilitate healthy growth. As believers, Jesus compares our spiritual growth to that of a vine plant. In order to bear spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:19-20) and walk in the purpose God has for you, you have to be pruned (John 15:2). Like a gardener tends to plants, God is overseeing your growth so that you will mature in Christ and live the life he created you for (John 15:5).
Pruning isn’t comfortable but it’s a natural and necessary part of following Christ. Sometimes it will be easier to endure and other times it may be excruciating, but it’s for your good. The pain has a purpose;to make you a better person in Christ.
One does not magically become like Jesus. It takes a process - which is a transformation all Christians have to undergo. You have to be developed by God and that’s where pruning comes in. There may also be things that you try to hold on to that God wants you to let go of. It might be your negative thought or the way you approach people.
Our prayer lives become powerful
Abiding in Christ allows us to have a fruitful prayer when we pray in accordance to HIS will.
What do we do in order to abide in HIM?
Spend time in HIS word
Spend time with the word of God. Besides your ten minutes in the morning, take a few more minutes at noon, and a few more in the evening. The more time you spend in HIS word, the more you will become like Jesus. Do not expect quick results; growth takes time and. It does not come from a few concentrated days of praying and fasting and then having something fall upon you from the heavens. Take time to water the little seed of life sown into the soil of your heart.
Pray
To abide in Christ means to have a constant prayer life. The Bible says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up” (Luke 18:1). The Greek word “without ceasing” used in 1Thessalonians 5:17 is adialeiptos, which doesn’t mean nonstop — but actually means constantly recurring. Praying without ceasing means not giving up on prayer. Don’t ever come to a point in your life where you cease to pray at all. Don’t abandon the God of hope and say, “There’s no need of praying.”
When our thoughts turn to worry, fear, discouragement, and anger, we are to consciously and quickly turn every thought into prayer and every prayer into thanksgiving. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul commands us to stop being anxious and instead, “in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” It is worth knowing that we are not to pray only when things are not going on well, we are also to “pray at all times in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18).
Builds your trust in God.
Abiding in Christ allows you to trust the Lord in everything you do. The more time you spend with our Lord, the more you understand HIM and trust HIM regardless of the situation you find yourself. Trusting HIM knowing fully that HIS plans for you are good and not of evil (Jeremiah 29:11)
Conclusion
Abide in him, and he will abide in you. He who began a good work in you will complete it (Philippians 1:6) He who called you is faithful; he will surely do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
