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Abiding in Jesus Creates Transformation
I would venture to say that we all want to experience growth and transformation. Let’s look at how abiding in Jesus creates transformation.
I am intentionally starting out with abiding because our relationship with Jesus, our abiding in Jesus is the most important posture we take as followers of Christ. When we abide, our lives will transform, our relationships will transform, our work will transform. In John 15 Jesus says:
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. 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. …By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 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. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:4-5, 8-11 NKJV, emphasis mine).
Any time we read scripture one of the things to notice are words that are repeated. When we see a word used several times it means that it is really important and the person speaking is driving home a point. Here we see Jesus instructing us to abide seven times in these short but powerful verses. To abide means to dwell, not to depart, to be present, to wait, to remain. We will experience transformation as we abide in Jesus. As we abide in Jesus he promises us that we will bear much fruit. And as we remain in him, when we dwell in his love, when we keep his commandments, we are promised fullness of joy!
How are you abiding in Jesus? How are his words abiding in you? In order to abide in his Word we need to be reading his Word, making it a daily practice to dwell in the truth of scripture. The best time for me is first thing in the morning. Maybe the morning is the best time for you or perhaps over lunchtime or before bedtime. Make it a daily practice to be in God’s Word. As you abide in Jesus, as you dwell on his Word, remain in his love and obey his commandments you will experience transformation, bear fruit, and experience fullness of joy!