© 14 Colin Melbourne
What does it mean to abide in Christ?
First John 3:6 KJV illuminates our understanding of what Christ described in His John 15 discourse on abiding in the vine.
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
Good Seed on Good Ground
Wise new Christians read only John’s Gospel, and John’s First Letter, for six months before they read the rest of the New Covenant.
They become grounded in the Gospel basics of repentance and faith in Christ.
Their roots grow deep in good ground, anchored on the Rock. (See. Mtt. 13 and Mk. 4)
Repent and Believe
The Holy Ghost emphasises repeatedly throughout First John that; unless there is wholehearted repentance from sin, a person has not been born again.
This is the first point to make clear to seekers, to ensure that they are born again, birthed, the Bible way. The best approach is reading the Holy Bible themselves, seeking and receiving Holy Ghost revelation.
John’s Gospel, and First Letter, are unsurpassed for this, because they bring sincere enquirers into heart to heart intimacy with the Lord. Like the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well in John Ch. 4
That is what He wants with you too… always.
Men impose their interpretations on the meaning of abiding in the vine, but here, God the Holy Ghost tells us what He means by abiding, 1 Jn. 3:6 KJV;
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
In John 15, Christ told us He was the True Vine, and the Holy Ghost confirms here that He’s writing about abiding in him, meaning the LORD Jesus Christ.
That much we already understood, but the fresh revelation is that by abiding in Christ, God means walking in fellowship with Jesus in perfect obedience: Without sin.
Sinneth Not
God’s word, the Holy Bible, teaches that perfect obedience is not only readily attainable, but is the prerequisite of a normal Christian walk.
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not:
Abiding and sin are incompatible.
When you abide, you are not sinning.
When you sin, you are not abiding.
Take that to heart, and never forget it: It’s God’s Truth.
“But surely we sin all the time?”
Nominal and religious “Christians” cannot take this Gospel truth; their creeds and doctrines are mere teachings of men, that bring God’s word down to their unbelieving standard, and thereby dismiss the truth.
Their choice, and their eternal loss: Counterfeit Christians.
God makes this distinction in Rom. 8:14 KJV;
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
God’s Standard
The sons of God are led by the Spirit of God, not the spirit of men following doctrines of devils. (1 Tim. 4:1, Col. 2:22, Mk. 7:7, Mtt. 15:9)
God’s children believe and wholeheartedly follow the Word of God, The LORD Jesus Christ, and His Spirit.
Now re-read John 15:1-14 KJV with this scriptural understanding, and then walk in perfect obedience and fellowship with the LORD until He returns. It’s not difficult.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
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.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
The key to Smith Wigglesworth’s success in miracle ministry was maintaining his intimate fellowship with the LORD.
Smith lived in God’s Presence, abiding in Christ, available and anointed with power all the time, to do the will of God. He lived holy, and walked in holiness so that God’s Power was released to work wonders. You’ll learn a lot from Smith Wigglesworth on Manifesting the Divine Nature.
© 14 Colin Melbourne
