Bible Journaling Lesson: Abide

What does it mean to "Abide in Christ"? In short it means to have an intimate, close relationship, and not just a superficial acquaintance. Scripture tells us that when we abide in Jesus and He in us, we will bear 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, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:4-5

Abiding in Christ is a concept that holds profound significance for believers:

Rooted in Grace: Our union with the Lord hinges on His grace. While we actively and personally connect with Christ through faith, it is essential to recognize that abiding is not what saves us, but it is one of the signs of salvation. Galatian 3:2-3 is clear... Salvation comes by grace and is maintained by grace! Sovereign grace lays the foundation for it all.

Obedience and Abiding: Abiding in Christ involves our response to His teaching. Jesus emphasizes this in John 15:7: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you.” Paul echoes this idea in Colossians 3:16, urging us to let the word of Christ dwell richly within us. Essentially, abiding means allowing Christ’s Word to transform our minds, guide our wills, and change our heart. Our relationship with Christ is intricately tied to how we engage with our Bibles.

Prayer and God’s Will: As Christ’s Word takes root in us and the Spirit fills us, our prayers align with God’s will. We discover the truth behind Jesus’ promise: “You will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). This isn't talking about material wealth, success, reputation... The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) speaks of attitudes and behaviors! Not bank accounts and accolades.

Abiding in His Love: Jesus emphasizes another principle: “Abide in My love” (John 15:9). This means resting our lives on Christ’s sacrificial love—the love of the One who laid down His life US (John 15:13). The cross stands as the undeniable demonstration of this love, and our dependence on the Spirit who sheds it abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5) is crucial.

Concrete Expression: Remaining in Christ’s love finds practical expression in simple obedience. Our love for Him is evidenced by our obedience (John 15:10–14).

Pruning Process: As part of abiding, we submit to God’s providential pruning. He cuts away disloyalty and unimportant aspects, allowing us to wholeheartedly remain in Christ.

Abiding in Christ involves a dynamic relationship—a continuous growth process where His Word transforms us, His love sustains us, and our obedience bears fruit.

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I hope that you have enjoyed the FREE BIBLE JOURNALING LESSON - Abide!

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