Abiding in Christ: 12 Key Verses

What does abiding in Christ mean? Let’s look at Charles Stanley’s definition. “Abiding in Christ involves remaining in a relationship with God, and is more than just saving faith.” 

He quotes 1 John 3:24 says, “The one who keeps His commandments remains [abides] in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He remains [abides] in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

John is saying that an abiding relationship is the union with Christ that happens at salvation, and the proof is the indwelling Holy Spirit.“

So abiding in Christ is building a relationship and staying in that relationship with Him.

 John 15:5 ESV “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

In this verse, Christ refers to Himself as the vine, the source of strength for the branches. If we abide in Him, we are able to do His work. We can’t do anything without Him.

What can we do to abide in Christ?

• Acknowledging who Christ is
• Commitment to Christ
• Pray Regularly
• Reading the Bible
• Good Works
• Walk in Love
• Confession of Sin
• Conclusion

Acknowledging who Christ Is

Galatians 2:20 NIV “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

When we accept Jesus Christ as Savior, we symbolically have been crucified with Him. Our life becomes His. We now live by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

We are acknowledging that He is the Son of God and able to save us. It takes this perfect blood to redeem us. So now, we can abide in Christ.

Have you taken this step? Simply, accept that He is the Son of God and taking the place of your sin on the cross and was resurrected. Confess you are a sinner and repent of your sin. You are now in abiding in Christ.

Commitment to Christ

Psalm 37:5 ESV “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”

Accepting Him as Savior is the first step to abiding in Him. Next, you need to make a conscious decision that you are going to follow His ways.

Developing a relationship with Him takes submitting all your ways to Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Praying Regularly

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 NIV “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 4:2 NIV “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Prayer is very important in abiding in Christ. Even as humans, we know to have a good relationship there has to be good communication. It’s the same with Jesus Christ.

Even though He knows what’s going on with you, He encourages you to talk to Him about your situation because He wants to be a part of your life. He is a personal God.

How often should we pray? 1 Thessalonians says, “continually“. Colossians tells us to devote ourselves to it.

Reading the Bible

2 John 1:9 ESV “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”

Reading the Bible is essential to abiding in Christ. How can you know what He wants in your life, if you don’t read it? Yes, you can get a little from others, but how do you know what they are saying is according to God’s Word?

When you’re in a difficult situation, how do you know where to go to find help? Reading the Bible should be as important as eating is for taking care of your body. It’s where you get your strength to live day by day.

In the verse above, whoever does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. There is no abiding in Christ without reading His Word.

Good Works

Ephesians 2:10 ESV “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Good works are not part of salvation.We are saved by grace. After becoming a Christian, good works should be a part of our life.

In this verse, we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works. God intended for us to walk in them.

This is what Dictionary of Bible Themes says about good works, “Acts designed specifically to benefit others, which are characteristic of God. He requires and enables his people to do good, although such is contrary to their sinful human nature. Salvation does not depend on good works, but leads to them.”

These are the things we do for others. Helping the needy get food and things they need, helping a friend in a time of crisis, cleaning someone’s house that cannot do it themselves.

When we are thinking of the good of others, we are abiding in Christ.

If you don’t know what to do, try looking up some of the organizations who need volunteers. Join the prayer group at your church or give to the local food bank.

Walk in Love

John 15:9 ESV “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”

The basis of the plan of salvation is love. God loved us so much, He gave His Son to die on the cross, suffer terrible pain and was humiliated beyond words. Do we have that much love?

What does God tell us? Even as He loves us, we are to abide in His love. Yes, that means everyone, even those you do not like.

Not easy, right? That’s why God gave us the capacity to love in that manner through Him. We cannot love that way on our own.

Why does God want us to love? When we are showing God’s love to someone we don’t care for, it can touch their heart and lead them to Jesus Christ.

Confession of Sin

1 John 3:6 ESV “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.”

Vernon McGee explains it this way, “If you are God’s child, that new nature will not go along with the old nature and commit sin. The believer who abides in Christ does not practice sin—he doesn’t live in it. The sinner lives in it all the time, but the child of God has a new nature, and he cannot live a sinful life.” 

This doesn’t mean you will never sin again after becoming a Christian. It means that now you know Christ as Savior, you will not continue to live in sin. When you sin, you will confess it and be back in fellowship with Him. Living in sin is continuing to do it, knowing you are sinning.

1 John 1:9 NIV “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Conclusion

Abiding in Christ begins with salvation but to continue, it’s necessary to follow Him by submitting to His way. When we walk in His way, we will experience peace and joy that is beyond words.

These verses show us what God’s Word says about abiding in Him. By making this our goal as Christians, we can live a productive life in Christ.

In prayer, this week, talk to the Lord about any of these you need to work on. It will amaze you what He’ll do in your life.

Just keep going, the benefits are wonderful. If you have any questions, please comment. I will be happy to help.

Be sure to check out my resource page. I have several freebees for you. Jackie