Why it is Important to Abide in Jesus and How it is Possible

In John 15, Jesus is talking to his disciples. So this passage is for us, as his disciples. It is so important for us to listen and understand. We see the word ‘abide’ repeated many times here.

Igor Ovsyannykov

There are four important consideration for us:

1. What does it mean to abide?
2. What happens if we do not abide?
3. What happens when we abide?
4. What do we do in order to abide?

What it means to abide with Jesus

Again, there are four things that will help us identify what it means to abide with Jesus:

1. We have shared values – what he values, we value. His values become our own. We abandon every value we have that is not in agreement with his. An example of a value: everyone is precious in the sight of Jesus.
2. We live with agreed on principles. Those principles that govern our lives are established by Jesus and, again, we adopt them as our own. An example of a principle: we don’t judge based on appearance.
3. We have a common mission and goals. Jesus was and is all about the kingdom of God. Our focus also must be on the kingdom. More than anything, we want to see the kingdom advance and God glorified.
4. We enjoy intense fellowship. We share life. Just as Jesus shared all his life with the twelve, we continue that tradition in sharing life with him.

What happens when we do not abide?

Remember that this is for his disciples. So the warning here is for all the followers of Jesus.
We are not fruitful. We will talk about what this means a little later but when we cease to abide with Jesus we cease to bear the fruit he desires.
If we persist in not abiding, we are like the branches that are cut off from the vine.
When we do not abide, we can do nothing. Any effort we make in the area of Christian service is void and meaningless.
Eventually, we wither and die. Spiritually we do not last long if we do not abide.
If we are cut off, if we wither and die, we will be burned – consumed and completely destroyed from our spiritual life.

Read the words of Jesus: Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he (the Father) takes away… for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15:2, 5, 6 (ESV)

What happens when we abide?

We are fruitful

To be fruitful in this context means we make new believers.

Who are they? They are generally the people we are in contact with every day. They are family, friends, co-workers, class mates.

We make new believers by our influence in their lives. We influence by example – they see our lives and want what we have (sometimes not knowing it is a gift from God). Our words can have influence – we share with them how they can follow Jesus, we invite them to check it out. We also influence by direct contact – involvement in their lives, showing compassion and being the hands and feet of Jesus.

We get pruned

God wants us clean. He will help us get rid of anything that hampers our fruitfulness. For the 12 disciples that meant attachment to home, work and family. It means much the same for us.

What keeps you from being fruitful in the kingdom? It must go!

We become more fruitful!

More fruit brings more joy and contentment and purpose and fulfillment into our lives.

We begin to bear much fruit

The more fruitful we become, the more we are able to bear fruit.

Our prayer lives become powerful

Jesus said: ask and receive. Abiding in him allows us to pray with great boldness and to experience answers to our prayers. We pray in accordance with his will because we are abiding.

Abiding also allows us to pray with confidence and growing faith as we receive answers. We may still misfire from time to time but we see growing success in our prayer.

Abiding is the visible and tangible proof that we are Jesus’ disciples

Again, read the words of Jesus:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 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. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:1,2, 4-8 (ESV)

What do we do in order to abide?

The answer to this question is in Jesus statement – By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

To abide, we must take on the attributes and commitment of the disciple:

A learner – we eagerly learn everything we can from our Master. This means we spend much time listening to his voice through the Word, asking questions in prayer. In order to better learn, we work on perfecting our listening skills so we can hear him better.
A follower – we follow Jesus wherever he leads us. That means we are obedient to him. He leads primarily through:
The Word, prayer, worship and fellowship with other followers of Jesus.
An apprentice – we do the work our Master does with increasing efficiency and effectiveness. This means we engage in ministry, something for every believer. We learn and do Kingdom work – whatever that work may be. The apprentice is discovering and exploring their spiritual gifts.

Your Turn

Make sure you abide in Jesus so you can grow and live a life that makes a difference.

Make a commitment, grow in your commitment, empower your commitment, reaffirm your commitment. Start with prayer.