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. John 15:4

How do we abide in Christ? Have you ever thought about that? Is it interesting that Christ commands us to abide in Him… and HE in US? ‘Abide in me, and I in you.’ Is the second part a command also, or a promise? ‘…and I in you’? It is stated as a command, in the same breathe as the command: ‘Abide in me…’

This verse is the vital basis of Christian spirituality. Christ commands us to abide in Him, and He in us. But, again, what does it mean? Is it an action? No… not exactly. Like forgiveness, it is an act of the will, but its not a deed in the sense of outward action. Yet as we continue to read the full context of what He’s saying, we see that it is the precursor to all our works of faith.

To abide in Christ and He in us is a state of being, it is not an action, or religious outworking. How do we abide in Him? There are practical ways, but just simply it is – as I said – an act of the will, like forgiveness, or love. You simply choose to, or choose not to and the choice itself, the will is the performance of it.

God is not far from any one of us; His distance from us is precisely the distance of our will for Him.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any many hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with Me. (Rev. 3:20)

This metaphor of a door is merely your will, your choice. Christ is ever standing at the door, knocking and calling your name. Abide in Christ, and He in you. How? Just do. The action in this case is your will taking hold of faith; believing that He is with us, seeking to be in us, and we in Him at all times as the scripture says.

How do we know His person, His character? Study the scriptures, the word which speaks of Him. These reveal His Person.

If we ever want to do anythig for God, we must abide in Him, and He in us. Just as a branch cannot produce grapes without being connected to the vine, neither can we accomplish anything for God without remaining in this state of existence. The more we abide in Christ, and He in us, the more we shall be able to accomplish for God.

Abiding in Him, and He in us is the place from whence we discern His voice.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)

If you are of His sheep, you hear His voice. You may not be familiar with this if yoh are not abiding in Him, and He in you, because without abiding in this state of being you will be unfruitful. Yet God speaks to His children, and if you are His sheep you DO hear His voice, for He declared it to be so.

Abide in Christ, and He in you. We know in Part and we Prophesy in Part