“Abide in Me, and I in You”

Shalom, child of God.
Welcome to today’s reflection on God’s Word. Our topic is taken from the words of Jesus Christ:

“Abide in Me, and I in you.”(John 15:4)

These words were spoken by our Lord Jesus while teaching the Jews, shortly before His crucifixion. He emphasized the importance of intimate spiritual union with Him.

Let us begin with John 6:53–56, where Jesus speaks profoundly about abiding in Him:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.”(John 6:53–56, ESV)

And again in:

“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.”(John 15:4, ESV)

Understanding “Abide in Me”

This phrase may seem mysterious at first, but consider this simple illustration:

Imagine a bucket full of water, and you lower a glass into it. The glass is in the water, and water is in the glass. You cannot separate the two. To reach the glass, you must go through the water and inside the glass, there’s also water.

That is what Jesus means: When we are in Him, He surrounds us externally, and at the same time, He dwells within us. He becomes our spiritual covering and our indwelling presence. When this union exists, what is happening outside us spiritually is also happening inside there is no contradiction.

No One Else Can Offer This Kind of Relationship

There is no other being not Satan, not human wisdom, not money, not possessions that can offer this kind of total care for both the body and the soul.

• Satan may offer wealth, but not peace of heart.
• Human beings may offer external security, but not spiritual protection.
• Doctors may heal the body, but cannot restore a broken spirit (cf. Proverbs 18:14).
• Possessions can guard your home, but cannot protect your soul from demonic attack.

Only Jesus Christ is the true physician of the soul. Only He can reach the deepest pain, the deepest fear, and the deepest need of the human heart. Only He has been anointed by God to deal with the matters of the spirit, as Isaiah prophesied:

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,
because the LORD has anointed Me
to bring good news to the poor;
He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn…(”Isaiah 61:1–2, ESV)

This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ alone (see Luke 4:18–21). He is not honored by religious fanfare, but by the truth of His person and mission. God has approved Him and so have those who have encountered His power. There is no one like Him, and nothing is impossible for Him (cf. Luke 1:37).

This Message Is for You

Whether you’re reading this with a burdened heart, uncertainty, guilt, fear, or pain know this: The solution is not in a preacher, a doctor, or a witchdoctor. The only solution is Jesus Christ living inside you.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.”(Revelation 3:20, ESV)

He is knocking on your heart today.

Like that glass in the bucket of water, Jesus wants to come into you, and surround you on the outside protecting, comforting, healing, restoring.

What Must You Do?

You don’t need to go to a prophet or a pastor. Right now, where you are, begin to reflect:

• Look back at your life.
• Consider your past sins, your current struggles, your fears, your pain.
• Humbly speak to Him.
• Ask Him to forgive you and wash you clean.
• Invite Him to carry the weight of your sin and pain.

He is faithful and just and will forgive you (1 John 1:9). Then, respond to His command:

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”(Acts 2:38, ESV)

Just as medicine must be applied according to the doctor’s instructions, spiritual healing must follow Jesus’ instructions. He has ordained baptism by immersion in His name as part of the remission of sins. After this, He promises the gift of the Holy Spirit, who will help you walk in truth and victory over sin.

This is being born again (John 3:3–5), and entering into God’s royal priesthood, His holy nation, His eternal family (1 Peter 2:9).

A Life in Christ: Surrounded and Filled

When Christ lives in you and you live in Him:

• Your prayers will be heard (John 15:7)
• Your soul will be satisfied (John 4:14)
• Your fears will be overcome (2 Timothy 1:7)
• Your purpose will be restored
• And you will bear fruit that glorifies God (John 15:8)

“In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”(John 14:20, ESV)

This is the promise of Jesus to be in you, and for you to be in Him. Let nothing delay your response.

Are you ready to give your life to Christ? He calls you today.

If you’re willing, speak to Him in prayer. Surrender. Repent. Accept Him. Then, seek baptism as He commanded. And begin your journey of true life a life in Christ, and Christ in you.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”(2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

May the Lord bless you and lead you into all truth.

Jesus Christ is the answer today, and forever.

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