Abiding in Christ
- Illuminate the Truth
- Dec 4
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
By Ashton McGraw & Chris Jaeger In The Light of Truth – A Podcast by Illuminate the Truth.
Welcome to In The Light of Truth, a podcast where biblical truth meets real life. Whether you’re new to the Bible or have studied it for years, this is a space for honest conversations about the struggles, joys, and peace we experience as followers of Christ. Walking with God isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. Let’s grow together in the light of truth.
Abiding is one of those words we hear often in the Christian walk, yet for many of us it still feels mysterious or complicated. What does it actually mean to abide in Christ? How do we do it? And why does Jesus emphasize it so strongly?
In John 15, Jesus uses the imagery of a vine and branches to help us understand this profound truth:
“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… Apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:4–5
The word abide appears ten times in this passage. Clearly, Jesus wanted His disciples—and us—to grasp how essential it is.
What Abiding Is: Remaining, Dwelling, Receiving
The Greek word for abide is meno, meaning to remain, continue, dwell, endure, be present, and even tarry—to linger.
Abiding isn't a one-time moment but a continual posture of the heart. It’s a permanent, intimate, trusting relationship with Jesus where we:
Remain connected to Him
Receive from Him
Depend on Him
Obey Him
Trust that He is our source of life
It is less about striving and more about staying—staying close, staying receptive, staying surrendered.
Abiding Produces Fruit
Jesus tells us plainly: branches cannot bear fruit without the vine. When we abide, fruit naturally comes—love, joy, peace, obedience, answered prayer, and a life shaped by His Word (John 15:7–10).
But pruning is also part of the process.
Just like a rosebush needs pruning to flourish, our hearts need pruning too. God lovingly cuts away sin, distraction, idols, and unhealthy attachments so that healthier fruit can grow. Pruning is uncomfortable, but it is always for our good.
Sometimes our lack of fruit isn’t because we don’t love God—it’s because there are areas we aren’t fully surrendering. Distractions, busyness, bitterness, fear, or even the refusal to receive His grace can all hinder our abiding.
Abiding and the Work of the Spirit
1 John 2:27–28 gives us a deeper glimpse into abiding:
“But the anointing that you received from him abides in you… just as it has taught you, abide in him.”
Abiding is not something we do in our own strength. The Holy Spirit teaches, convicts, reveals truth, and gives us confidence that we belong to God. He draws us in even when we don’t know how to draw near ourselves.
Sometimes abiding looks like simply being honest before God:
“Lord, I want to trust You, but I’m struggling.”“Help me receive Your grace.”“Show me what I’m resisting.”
God is gentle in revealing the hidden places—whether bitterness, pride, control, or hurt—and invites us to bring them into His light.
Partaking: Coming to the Table
One of the clearest pictures of abiding is partaking—coming to Jesus daily as our source of life. Just as we must sit at the table to receive nourishment, we must come to Him to receive grace, strength, wisdom, and joy.
We cannot partake if we do not come.
Abiding means allowing ourselves to receive His love, His pruning, His correction, His joy, His help, and His grace—even when it’s uncomfortable.
Practical Ways We Abide
Though abiding is spiritual, it is also tangible. We remain connected to the Vine through:
Reading Scripture
Prayer and honest conversation with God
Worship
Surrender and repentance
Christian community and fellowship
Consistent obedience
Choosing Him over distractions
These aren’t boxes to check—they are means of drawing life from Christ.
A Simple Definition to Hold Onto
Here’s a helpful way to summarize abiding:
Abiding in Christ is remaining in a permanent, intimate, trusting relationship with Jesus—depending on Him as your continual source of life, security, confidence, and joy.
It’s lingering with Him.It’s trusting Him.It’s receiving from Him.It’s surrendering to Him.It’s living with Him and letting His life flow through you.
A Final Encouragement
Abiding is not perfection.It is presence.It is openness.It is relationship.
And the beautiful truth is this: God wants to abide with you even more than you want to abide with Him.
Our prayer is that God will reveal to you any areas where He’s inviting you to partake more fully—whether in receiving His grace, trusting Him in a new way, surrendering a burden, or allowing Him to lovingly prune something that’s hindering growth.
There is always more of Him to receive.And the more we abide, the more we flourish.
🎧 Listen to Episode 23: "Abiding in Christ?"
📍 Visit us in downtown Fargo: 21 8th St S Fargo, ND 58103
📩 Need prayer? Reach out—your burden doesn't have to be carried alone.
If you would like to explore this topic deeper we recommend the Bible study by Jen Wilkin Abide.
If you would like to support us, we do have an affiliate program. By clicking on the image below we will get a small commission if you purchase the book.
Comments