Abiding in Jesus

By: Pastor Jose V. Velasco, Jr.

     In John 15 Jesus compares His relationship with His followers to the connection of a branch to the main tree. For fruitfulness and survival the branch must be connected to the main tree. So Jesus told His followers, "Abide in me" (v.4 KJV & RSV). It is a fact that not all who follow Jesus will abide. It is said that most of those who followed Jesus hailing Him "Hosanna" when He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday were the same people who abandoned Him on Good Friday and shouted "Crucify Him".

      What are some reasons why followers of Jesus abandon Him later? We may find some answers in Jesus' parable of the sower. The birds that ate the sown seeds are temptations that destroy the faith of Christians. Satan may use unbelieving friends or relatives to lure us to abandon our faith (1 Peter 5:8). The shallow-soil faith is not deeply grounded in the teachings of the Bible. The Bible teaches that to be a Christian is to believe and follow Christ (Jn. 3:16; Mt. 4:19). It is to love, obey, serve and be loyal to Him to the end. Just going to church without a real personal relationship with Christ has no deep meaning and may disappear anytime. The thorns and weeds that choke the plant may be earthly interests which are not necessarily bad because they may be meeting indispensable practical needs. But when they become so uppermost in life at the expense of Christ these will cut us off from Christ. In addition trials and sufferings may be so severe that they weaken our faith and we abandon it. In addition trials and sufferings may be so severe that they weaken our faith and we abandon it.

      What must we do to continue abiding in Christ? First, is prayer. As the incarnate Son of God, Jesus prayed frequently (Mk. 1:35; 14:35-36; Mt 14:23; Lk. 6:12; Jn. 17:1). This strengthened Jesus' link to His heavenly Father. So are we in our link to Jesus. Second, studying intently His words. The tree nurtures the branch from the nutrients it gets from the soil. The teachings of the Bible inform and guide our faith so it becomes genuine, meaningful and stable. Third, community of believers, the church. Its worship, fellowship and ministry is a spiritual support and inspiration to each Christian follower. When the believer participates in the ministry of the church, he/she bears fruits of good deeds. From early times believers met regularly (Acts 2:42, 46; Heb. 10:25).

      We need to persevere and abide to the end. Otherwise, we will be cut off and be burned (Jn. 15:6). Jesus promised, "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10 RSV). Such an unmovable abiding in Jesus is the guarantee of our hope for eternity.

Prayer: 

     Lord Jesus, help me through the power and guidance of your Holy Spirit to abide in you and be steadfast in my faith in you forever. Amen.