Many of us are very familiar with this powerfully short sentence from John 15. Jesus is sharing a final Passover meal with his disciples before his crucifixion the following day. During and after dinner Jesus is instructing, clarifying, and encouraging the disciples to remain faithful to God’s calling on their lives.
Part of Jesus’ instruction uses the illustration of a vine and the command to abide in him as the true vine. As I continue to grow in my faith and understanding of God’s calling for me, the command to abide stands as a key to obedience and truth. What does Jesus mean to abide in him and him in me? Although there are several related definitions of the word abide, within the context of John 15 it means “to be in close and settled union.”
This gets us to the spiritual principle that the Spirit has emblazoned upon my heart. What must I do, and let Jesus do, to be close and have a settled union?
Let’s start with what Jesus has and is doing:
My salvation, and therefore a settled union is all the work of Jesus. I’m the recipient of his grace and mercy. Even now Jesus is protecting our relationship and preparing me to join him in God’s heavenly eternity.
There’s nothing for me to add or improve upon. Jesus just wants me to mature in my understanding and experience of his loving call as a member of God’s family.
There are several actions and attitudes that bring me close to Jesus. They include:
Talk to him regularly. Jesus is interested in every aspect of my life and wants to listen to my joys and difficulties. He also has several things that I need to hear!
Spend time learning who Jesus is … AKA read the Bible. Jesus tells me everything I need to understand about him in the Bible.
Join Jesus where he’s working. I’m not the only one in God’s family. Jesus has invited me to join him in doing God assignments.
Use the giftedness Jesus gave me. A humble heart will open the door to serving others and invite them to hear God’s calling.
Through the years of abiding in Jesus and he in me, I’m consistently reminded that I need to let him be the bond that holds our union together. My part is to stay in close contact with him!
Steve Howard, Small Groups Coordinator