What does it mean to abide in Christ (the vine)?
The definition of what it means to abide is here:
John 15 [SUP]10 [/SUP]If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
2 John 1v9 [SUP]9 [/SUP]Whoever transgresses[SUP][d][/SUP] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.
John 15
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. [SUP]2 [/SUP]Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;[SUP][a][/SUP] and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
- This is the fruit of the Spirit, namely: Galatians 5 [SUP]22 [/SUP]But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [SUP]23 [/SUP]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. [SUP]24 [/SUP]And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
- Without Christ, we have not the Spirit. Romans 8v9 [SUP]9 [/SUP]But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
- So in order to live by the Spirit (producing fruit, which is of God), we are to obey Christ’s doctrine (abiding in Him). And here is the proof in the next verses.
3 [/SUP]You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. [SUP]4 [/SUP]Abide in Me <keep My commandments>, and I in you <the Word of God in us: see verse 7 below>. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me <keep My commandments>.
- No fruit can be produced unless you are obedient to the doctrine of Christ.
- The Fruit of the Spirit is the outcome of Obedience to Christ (all His Words, His Doctrine: see 2 john 1v9 above)
5 [/SUP]“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. [SUP]6 [/SUP]If anyone does not abide in Me <keep His commandments>, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
- Continued disobedience (living in willful sin) results in condemnation.
[SUP]7 [/SUP]If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[SUP][b][/SUP] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. [SUP]8 [/SUP]By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
- The ultimate objective is the bearing of fruit to the glory of God the Father. It is the character of godliness formed in you (Fruit of the Spirit).
- Which is not possible without your obedience (abiding in Him)
- Your disobedience = No Fruit Possible.
- No fruit = Branch cut off
9 [/SUP]“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. [SUP]10 [/SUP]If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
-herein above ^^^ lies the definition of abiding in Him.
[SUP]
11 [/SUP]“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. [SUP]12 [/SUP]This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. [SUP]13 [/SUP]Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. [SUP]14 [/SUP]You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
- Jesus laid down His life for His friends v13
- Jesus calls us His friends if we obey his commands v14 (to love one another)
- Those who disobey His commands are not His friends v14
- Therefore those who disobey His commands do not partake of Christ’s death on the cross v13 and v14. They haven’t died to self. Their old man is not identified with Christ on the cross.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. [SUP]16 [/SUP]You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. [SUP]17 [/SUP]These things I command you, that you love one another.
- In the above verses 15 to 17 we have:
- Election (verse 16)
- Obedience (verse 17) – that’s your part by the way.
- Fruit bearing (verse 16) – Christ's nature being formed in you (Galatians 4v19). God does this part if you will honour your part in obedience. Abide in the vine and the fruit will come.