What Does "Abide" Mean?

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John 15:1-11

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 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. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 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. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

 
 

In 14:20, Jesus has spoken of the “indwelling” presence of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life:

20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you [John 14:20].

Here, with the “I am the vine, you are the branches” metaphor, Jesus explains what that means. What does it mean, practically, to “abide?”

In John 8:31b–32,

31b “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” [John 8:31b–32].

Here, Jesus goes further when He says:

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you [John 15:7].

Very practically, one of the things it means to abide in Jesus is to continually keep His words in your mind and heart.

QUESTION OF THE DAY
How can you abide in Jesus today?

P.S. One quick note: Jesus is making a play on words in verses 2-3. In Greek, the verb translated here as “prunes” could also be translated “trims clean.” So, Jesus says, “the Father trims clean unfruitful branches, and you folks are clean because of the words I have been speaking to you.”