Abiding in Christ Jesus
Part
Four
By Nick Bibile
John
15:6–11
6
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.
7
If ye abide in me,
and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be
done unto you.
8
Herein is my Father
glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9
As the Father hath
loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10
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.
11
These things have I
spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy
might be full.
John 15:6 gives a solemn warning. A branch that does not abide in Christ is cast out, withers, and is ultimately burned. This is not a light statement—it speaks of eternal consequence.
There are only two kinds of branches: those that abide in Christ and bear fruit, and those that do not. There is no middle ground. A person is either truly in Christ or not.
You may say, “I know Christ,” but the more important question is: Does Christ know you? (Luke 13:24–28).
To abide in Christ is not merely to profess Him, but to live in a relationship marked by love and obedience. As verses 9–10 show, abiding is demonstrated through keeping His commandments. It is a living, active relationship—not just a claim.
Many struggle with the idea of judgment and ask, “How can God do this?”
We must begin here: God is the Creator.
Colossians
1:16
For
by him were all things created… all things were created by him, and
for him.
You were not created for yourself, but for God.
As Creator, God is sovereign. He is not accountable to us; rather, we are accountable to Him. He has the authority over all creation. In the days of Noah, He judged the world because of sin. His holiness and justice remain the same today.
Psalm 148 makes it clear: all creation exists to praise and glorify God.
From the heavens to the earth, from angels to animals, from kings to children—everything was created to honor Him.
Even creation itself will testify to His glory. When the Pharisees told Jesus to silence His disciples, He replied that if they were silent, even the stones would cry out (Luke 19:37–40).
The purpose of your life is not self-fulfillment, but God’s glory.
John
15:8
Herein
is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit…
God is glorified when our lives bear spiritual fruit—lives of obedience, holiness, love, and devotion to Him.
There is a clear order in creation:
The earth, water, sun, and air sustain life
Plants and vegetation support living creatures
Animals serve mankind
Man stands at the highest level of earthly creation
Everything beneath man serves him. But here is the crucial question:
Is man serving God?
Man was created in the image of God and placed above all other earthly creation—not to live for himself, but to glorify his Maker.
Isaiah
43:7
I
have created him for my glory…
God provides everything: food, water, shelter, strength, intelligence, and life itself.
Yet many live as though these things came from their own ability.
But who gave you your mind? Your breath? Your strength?
We cannot take a single breath apart from God.
Every meal you eat, every comfort you enjoy, every resource you use—all come from His provision. Yet many receive these blessings without ever giving thanks or glory to Him.
Mark
12:30
Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart… soul… mind… and
strength.
To love God fully means:
With your heart — deep affection and devotion
With your mind — constant thought and meditation
With your strength — active service and obedience
Yet many love everything else more than God—family, possessions, comfort, and even themselves.
If you were to examine your life honestly, what truly has your highest love?
Jesus makes it plain:
“If a man abide not in me… he is cast… into the fire.”
A life that produces no fruit for God is ultimately useless in His kingdom.
There are only three realms:
Heaven — where all is holy and good
Earth — where good and evil coexist
Hell — where there is no good at all
If a person refuses to live for God, rejects Him, and bears no fruit, heaven would not be a fitting place. Heaven is a place where God is perfectly worshiped. Those who do not desire God now would not desire Him then.
Psalm
5:4
Neither
shall evil dwell with thee.
Yet God, in mercy, has made a way.
He did not send His Son for animals or plants—but for sinners.
Jesus Christ took the place of sinners on the cross. The sins of those who believe were placed upon Him, and His righteousness is given to them.
When a person truly comes to Christ:
Their heart is changed
They begin to love God
They desire His Word
Their life begins to bear fruit
This is not mere religion—it is transformation.
If you abide in Christ, you will bear fruit, live in His love, and experience true joy.
But if you refuse Him, you remain like a withered branch—fit only to be cast into the fire.
This is not temporary—it is eternal.
The same God who gives life, breath, and blessing will also judge righteously.
John
15:8
Herein
is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit…
The question is not whether you are religious, active, or knowledgeable.
The real question is:
Are you abiding in Christ—and is your life bearing fruit for the glory of God?