Word Study: Abide

“Abide in Me, and I in you…” John 15:4 (ESV)

I was 23 years old and searching for direction in my life. After having left college the year before, I knew I needed to return to school. Employed as a customer service representative at a bank, I was working in a job that didn’t fulfill my calling in life (there’s nothing wrong with working in customer service, so please don’t think I’m putting it down. I’m referring to my own personal life and calling). I needed to do something different. I started praying about what direction I needed to take in my life and searched after the LORD to see what His will was for me. During my search, I encountered John 15. The entire chapter focuses on abiding in Christ and keeping His commandments. Three verses in particular stood out to me, though we’ll only look at these two for now:

“4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (ESV)

Have you ever read a passage of Scripture that suddenly and unexpectedly speaks into your current circumstance, despite having read the Scripture numerous times in the past? This is what happened to me when I read these verses. These words clearly explained how I needed to live my life. They gave me direction, hope, and confirmation that the LORD had a specific plan for me.

The same is true for you. You have a purpose. If you abide in Jesus, He will abide in you and you will bear fruit. But, what does “abide” mean? The Greek word for “abide” is “meno” and it means “to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy), abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry.” (Greek #3306: Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible). We are to dwell, be present, and remain in Jesus. But, how do we do that?

To begin with, we need to be immersed in His Word. The Bible is His gift to us. It contains instructions on how we are to live our lives with God – trusting Him, believing Him, and loving Him. We are to keep His commandments, not only because of obedience, but also because they bring us life. We find rest in His promises to us as well. But, how can you do all of that if you don’t know what the Word says? Stay in the Word of God.

Another way to abide in Jesus is through prayer. Prayer is our communication with our Heavenly Father. If there is no communication with the LORD, how can we know what He wants for us? How can we abide in Him if we don’t communicate with Him? Make your prayers personal and from the heart. Ask Him for wisdom. The Bible says if we ask God for wisdom, then He will give it to us (see James 1:5).

Finally, to abide in Jesus means to remain in Him, even during the difficult times. These are the times that shape us, where God prunes us (as it says in verse 2) so we can bear more fruit. These difficult times are meant to grow us, not hurt us. The circumstance itself may be painful (such as the death of a loved one), but what happens after that is what shapes us, if we allow God to work on us.

Have I been perfect in abiding in Christ? No. In fact, there have been times where I was dormant, experiencing no growth and bearing no fruit. Thankfully, He brought me out of my dormant state (another story, another time) and showed me mercy. Now, as I live in Christ, I see areas in my life where He is pruning me – removing those parts that inhibit me from being fruitful. And, though, it may be painful at times, I know it is for His glory (“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” verse 8 ESV). 

What about you? Are you abiding in Christ?