Abiding in Christ!

As believers, we have been joined and live in union with Jesus Christ. We have been made one spirit with Him through the new birth (1 Corinthians 6:17). He lives inside of us through the Holy Spirit, and we have become partakers of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4; John 10:27). We have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). We are one with Christ Himself (John 17:20-23).

Let’s look at the instructions Jesus gave us to walk in that oneness:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing. John 15:4 – 5

The word “abide” means to live or dwell. Two abide in Jesus is to make Him your permanent dwelling place and live for Him every day. Staying vitally connected to Him by walking in union and communion with Him at all times.

It is through our living relationship with Jesus that we access God’s abundant life and overcoming power. As we stay in this living contact with Jesus, His life flows through us, and we bear fruit. Our abiding in Him enables us to be victors, not victims in the world (1 John 4:4). When we don’t abide in Christ, we fall prey to the world and the devil. Jesus gave us a major key to abiding in Him in the following verse:

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7

Therefore, it is important to give attention to God’s Word to grow in our union with Christ. The more we feed on His Word, the Bible, the more we live and walk in the light as His life flows through us.

My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20 – 22
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63

Faith comes by hearing God’s Word, which gives us the victory to overcome the world (Romans 10:17; 1 John 5:4). The Word renews our minds and changes the way we think to line up with His thoughts (Romans 12:2).

We recently talked about the power of His blood and the power of His resurrection. We must also understand the power of His covenant to walk in victory.

God cut a covenant with us and established it through Jesus’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. It is the blood of Jesus that establishes this covenant. Jesus has already overcome the world for us (John 16:32 – 33). We are world overcomers by faith in our blood covenant through Jesus’ blood and in the name of Jesus. (1 John 5:4-5; Revelation 12:11).

God always acts according to His covenant and not randomly (Romans 4:1 – 5). He is a sovereign God but not controlling. He has given dominion of the earth to humanity. We are partners with Him, and His covenant Word gives us authority to operate as ambassadors for Jesus Christ in the world today (2 Corinthians 5:20; Philippians 3:20; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18).

We are not limited to the world system but live on a higher level, as a citizen of the kingdom of God. We don’t have to wait to get to heaven to experience heaven on earth. Heaven’s power and resources back us up as we abide in Him. When we abide in Him, we are under heaven’s protection, and He has given us authority to extend that protection and His help to others. Let’s look at Psalm 91 to see some benefits of abiding or dwelling in Him:

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side and 10,000 at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwellings; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands, they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver Him; I will set him on high because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life, I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” Psalm 91:1 – 16

Abiding in Christ also means having fellowship with Him as well as abiding in the Word. It is a lifestyle of daily connection with Him acknowledging His Lordship and presence by faith. We can be aware of His presence moment by moment as we keep our eyes and heart fixed on Jesus throughout our day. We can also set time aside for prayer and worship. It is essential to listen to His voice and obey. We will then walk in the abundant and victorious life Jesus has provided for us!

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