Riverside Community Church Blog

To follow, to keep to, to stand by, to accept, to obey. 

These are a few definitions of the word abide. 

In John 15, Jesus tells us to abide in him. 

“I am the true vine and my father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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 and 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.” 

What does it mean to abide in Jesus? What does that look like in your life? 

To abide in Jesus is to live with him and for him. It’s keeping in step with His word and his will for your life. It is spending time with him, reading his word, and doing your best to live that out in your daily life because you love him and choose to express that love for him. Not because we “have to” or are “supposed to”. 

Abiding in Jesus is a daily choice. We have the freedom to cling to Jesus and his word or to cling to the world. The world looks inviting and exciting. But is it fulfilling? Does it give you life? Are you refreshed by it? 

Maybe your answer is yes. But Jesus tells us that it won’t last. 

“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” John 2:17 

Choosing to abide in Jesus is not an easy path. But He is with you. He is not like the world. He promises forever with us. 

It is common to feel alone in this life. People come and go. Jobs turn over. We move. Seasons change. The one thing, the only thing, that we can fully rely on to remain constant in our life is Jesus. Look to the cross and let that be a reminder of his unfailing love for you. Be freed by the power in His name.

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