Chapter 15 of John's Gospel is focused on one motif: abiding. Jesus declares that He is the true vine, and that only if a branch (person) abides in Him will it be able to bear fruit (John 15:1, 4). Additionally, apart from abiding in Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). But this abiding is defined in active terms. In order to abide, not only must we abide in His love (v. 9), we must keep the Father's commandments, chiefly loving each other as He has loved us (vv. 10-11).
To "abide" is the key term throughout this chapter and is a theme throughout John's Gospel. There is much theological weight and density in this concept. Abiding should be understood in two simultaneous senses. In the first sense, abiding means that we are aligned with the will of the Father. By this, abiding is a matter of acting and living in accordance with the Father, transmitted through the Word and the Holy Spirit.
Abiding, in the second sense, deals with consistency in continuing to abide in the first sense. In reality, the first, aligning with the will of God, is easier than the second because the achievement of the second sense only occurs over time. A person who makes a sincere confession of belief but then does not continue aligning their life to the will of God over time is not abiding. Thus they will not bear fruit and will be cut off and tossed into the eternal fire of hell.
When a believer abides, it is best defined as the continual act of consistent submission to the perfect will of the Lord. This is what abiding is all about. It is certainly not a one-time-only event, but to truly abide requires a lifelong commitment to aligning with the Lord and His Word. This is no easy task, but the Holy Spirit helps us in this process, for apart from His indwelling prompting us to abide we would be wholly destitute and unable to abide. Thanks be to God who desires and helps us to live in His love!
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