Abiding in Jesus

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” — John 15:4 (KJV)

Jesus continues in John 15:5: He is the Vine, we are the branches, and apart from Him we can do nothing. These six steps help us learn how to abide in Him and live from His finished victory.

Get to Know Jesus Through His Word

Trust grows as we get to know Him. Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:1, 14), so spending time in His Word is central to knowing Him. Read, listen, reflect, and spend time with Him. As His character and faithfulness become familiar, we learn to trust His promises—even before we see their fulfillment in the natural, as Abraham did (Romans 4:20–21).

Immerse in His Word

More Word in—with the focus on the finished work of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus already won. Through His death and resurrection, He accomplished what we could never accomplish by striving. Our part is to renew our minds to what He has already done and simply receive. Jesus is not only for us—He is the example of us: a life completely dependent on Father God and led by Holy Spirit every step of the way. In John 5:19, Jesus explains that He does nothing independently but does what He sees the Father doing. In John 5:30, He again makes clear that He does nothing from Himself, but responds according to the Father. That is the pattern we follow: see, hear, receive, and respond. Hebrews 4:12 shows that the Word is living and powerful, bringing clarity between Soul and Spirit. Romans 12:1–2 shows that transformation comes through renewing the mind. Jesus said that those who believe in Him will do the works He did and even greater works (John 14:12), and He promised the Holy Spirit as our Helper (John 14:16).

Guard Your Inputs

Recognize that the prevailing flow of the world often runs opposite to the Kingdom of God. Guard what continually enters through your eyes and ears. Television, social media, fear-driven news, comparison and self-focus can keep the Soul reacting to what it sees instead of agreeing with the Spirit and the Word.

Receive His Finished Work

Kingdom living is not trying harder to become what God has already made available in Jesus. It is learning to think from His finished work, receive what He has given, and let Holy Spirit lead our everyday lives.

Renew Your Mind

Hebrews 4:12 shows the Word discerning what is happening within us. As the mind is renewed, we learn to recognize what is Soul-driven and what is Spirit-led.

Follow Holy Spirit

The pressure of this world is strong because it can feel normal. We learn not to let circumstances, fear, culture, emotion or self dictate our direction. Holy Spirit leads; we listen and respond.

Abide and Live It

Stay connected to Jesus. Receive what He has already finished. Listen to Holy Spirit. Obey. Practice this in everyday life. We are not trying to win a victory God has already won; we are learning to live from it.