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Presented by Lisa Bishop
I want to examine something essential for our spiritual lives and for fostering unity in our Christian community, and that’s abiding in Jesus.
Jesus himself gave us a key to unity in the body of Christ when he invited us to abide in him.
Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me (John 15:4).
When we abide in Jesus we remain, we dwell, we stay connected to him. It’s not just about having a fleeting connection with Jesus. It’s about staying deeply rooted in him—having a continual, ongoing relationship where his presence and love permeate every part of our lives.
Unity in the community of believers flows from our connection to Jesus. In John 15:5, Jesus declares,
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).
When we are rooted in Jesus, we are drawn together in a shared experience of his love, grace, and truth.
Think about it. If every individual Christian is abiding in Jesus, then we are all being shaped and transformed by him. We are being aligned with his heart, his will, and his purpose. This is the foundation of unity. When we stay close to Jesus, we’re not just growing individually; we’re growing together as one body in him.
When we abide in Jesus, we are spiritually nourished and empowered to live lives that reflect his character—lives marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
As you and I bear spiritual fruit, we contribute to the overall health and unity of the body of Christ that reflects the power of God.
In any community, there inevitably will be challenges and differences. But when we abide in Jesus, he gives us the grace to overcome division. His love and his truth unite us even in conflict. Unity in the body of Christ is not something we can manufacture on our own. It’s not about our efforts to get along with or to work things out in our own strength. True unity comes when we, as individuals and as a community, abide in him.
How are you abiding in Jesus? Spending time in God’s word and prayer are ways we stay connected and grow. And remember that prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue. Create space for God to speak into your circumstances and relationships and to transform your life. When we take time to simply be still, practice gratitude, and praise him for who he is, we develop a stronger connection and sense of his presence. When we abide in Jesus, we not only benefit but his love binds us together in perfect unity.
