Remain in Christ

Text: John 15:1-11

Introduction

We live in an age when we need power to get things done. We need the power of the motor car to get to and from our destination. We need power to simply make a cup of coffee in the morning, or switch a light bulb on. If the electricity goes off our cordless phones are useless, for we can neither make nor receive calls. We cannot function in this world without power. The moment we unplug ourselves from the source of our spiritual power, we no longer have the strength to continue on the path the Lord has set us upon. Unless we remain in Christ we as weak as the person who has never known Him.

We must draw from His life

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:4-6).

The word “abide” can rightly be translated as “remain” or “continue to live.” No branch that is separated from the tree is able to bear fruit, instead it is itself dying. That branch does not have the source of life unless it stays connected to the tree. This is true for the one who no longer walks with Christ. For those who do walk with Christ, He expects them to continue doing so. Jesus asks us to do two important things, for He said, “Come unto me” (Matthew 11:28) and His "remain in” us (John 15:11). It is easy to claim that we are saved, but there has to be observable evidence too.

Many people attend church each Sunday as a sign that they are followers of Christ, but the true evidence shows up throughout the rest of the week. If we neglect our relationship with God, can it truly be said that Jesus is the source of our lives? We have to face up to the fact that He alone is the only sufficient source of life. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). He gave us His life and all things necessary for forgiveness and fullness of life. “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). He wants to be our constant companion in life, and if we permit Him to be, we will find that He will never forsake or fail us. “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5) … “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). We can produce nothing that is spiritually acceptable to God without abiding in Christ.

We must delight in His word

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:7-8).

At its basic meaning “abide” refers to staying put in one place, the place we call home. If we are going to remain in Christ, then we must love and obey His word too. If we abide in the Lord, then we will find that His word has a place in our hearts. If we are not at home with Jesus, then it is certain that His word is not at home in our hearts. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16).

This has nothing to do with having a head knowledge of the Bible, but instead means that we respond to what the Lord has said to us through His word. Unless we fill our thoughts with truth, all kinds of false doctrine, delusions and deception will control our lives. “Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Colossians 2:7-8).

We must depend upon His love

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love” (John 15:9).

This speaks of the measureless love of Christ for us. “May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19). He loves us to the exact measure that God the Father loves His only begotten Son. What happens if we refuse to continue in His love? The fact that He calls us to continue in it reveals how important it is to do so. To step outside of His love means stepping outside of grace and mercy. “See that ye do not forfeit that invaluable blessing. How needless a caution, if it were impossible for them not to abide therein?” (John Wesley).

We must not disobey His commands

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:10-11).

Obedience springs from a true relationship with the Saviour and leads to an even deeper one with Him. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). This obedience is evidence of the worth of our faith. Polluted fruit is the result of disobedience and a lack of love for God. Bad fruit never grows from the roots of the one grounded in Christ. A powerless Christian life is one that refuses to live according to what Christ has commanded. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14).

Conclusion

If we are truly in Christ, then we will remain in Him, in His word, in His love, and in obedience to His commandments. In doing so we will draw the strength to live the Christian life from Him alone. The consequence of remaining in Him will be seen in the spiritual fruit we bear. We might push all the right buttons, but if the radio is not plugged in, it will not function the way the maker intended. We can go through the motions of living godly lives and still not have the power of Christ. Why? Because He is not the source of our power. Let us make sure that we are constantly connected to Him in our daily lives.