Following Jesus: Abide

Following Jesus is more than simply believing in Him or making a decision to become a Christian. A disciple immerses themselves in the life of Jesus by leaving something behind, learning from Jesus, and joining Him on mission. But how do we continue following Jesus when He is no longer physically standing in front of us?

In John 15, Jesus gives His disciples a picture of a vine and its branches. He calls them to abide in Him, meaning to remain, stay, continue, and dwell in Him. Abiding is not about turning our relationship with Jesus into another religious checklist or simply trying harder. It is about remaining connected to Jesus, depending on Him for life, and allowing His life to produce fruit through us.

Key Takeaways:

• Abiding means staying connected to Jesus. Following Jesus is not an occasional activity. A disciple learns to remain in relationship with Him, even when they do not feel close to Him.
• Abiding means depending on Jesus for life. Just as a branch depends on the vine, we cannot live the life Jesus has called us to live apart from Him.
• Connection comes before fruit. The goal of discipleship is not simply becoming a better version of ourselves or doing more Christian activities. As we remain connected to Jesus, His life begins to shape who we are.
• Fruit is evidence of life. Abiding produces visible changes such as obedience, love, joy, and a changed way of relating to others. The fruit is evidence of our connection to Jesus.
• Abiding can be practiced in ordinary life. We can learn to be with Jesus through prayer and Scripture, be quiet with Jesus by removing distractions and listening, and respond to Jesus through obedience.

Scripture References:

• John 15:1-8
• John 15:10