Christ as God: A Study in JohnSample

What does it say?

Jesus spoke to his disciples about fruit-bearing, loving, suffering, and witnessing.

What does it mean?

To “abide” in Christ is to depend on Him for life as a branch does a vine. It means staying close to Jesus by remaining in His Word, obeying, and confessing sin through prayer. The believer who abides bears the fruit of Christ-like character (Gal. 5:22-24) and brings others to faith in Jesus (John 4:36). Other evidence of abiding in Christ is answered prayer, joy, and increased love for Jesus and other believers. The abiding disciple will also experience personal pruning in order to produce “more fruit” and “much fruit.” The world will reject those who abide in Christ just as it rejected the Lord Jesus.

How should I respond?

When teachers want to stress the importance of a topic, they use repetition. The word “abide” is used eleven times in this chapter. Did you get the message? Without abiding in Christ, you will accomplish nothing of eternal value. Abiding doesn’t happen automatically or by accident – it’s conscious work. What evidence of lasting fruit do you see in your life? Will you yield to God’s pruning in order to increase your potential and give new direction for growth? When you decide to abide, you’ll reap the benefits of a revitalized prayer life, along with deeper love and joy – despite how others view and treat you.