Abiding in Christ Jesus
Part
Five
By Nick Bibile
John 15:7–11
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you… that your joy might be full.”
Verse 7 is often misunderstood:
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
Some teach that this means Christians can ask for anything—wealth, success, and material abundance—and God is obligated to give it. According to this view, poverty or hardship is a sign of weak faith.
This teaching is false. It appeals to the flesh, not the Spirit.
We do not command God. He is the Most High, the Creator; we are but dust. True prayer is not demanding our will from God—it is aligning our will with His.
Notice the conditions in the verse:
“Abide in me” – a living union and love relationship with Christ
“My words abide in you” – His Word dwelling richly in us, shaping our desires
When these are true, our prayers change. We no longer ask for fleshly indulgence, but for spiritual realities.
Romans 8:14
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
A Spirit-led believer does not pray for selfish gain, but for what honors God.
Jesus Himself warned us:
Matthew 6:33
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
God provides our needs—but our priority is His kingdom, not our comfort.
1 John 5:14
“If we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”
That is the key: according to His will.
John 15:9–10
“Continue ye in my love… If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.”
This is not sentimental love. It is a love marked by obedience, devotion, and submission.
Christ is our example:
The Father loved the Son
The Son obeyed the Father perfectly
Matthew 3:17
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Christ came:
To fulfill the law (active obedience)
To suffer and die for sinners (passive obedience)
Through His sacrifice, He became our propitiation—bearing God’s wrath in our place. He reconciled us to God when we were His enemies.
Romans 5:8
“While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
This is love beyond comprehension.
Now, if we truly love Christ, we will obey Him. A profession of love without obedience is empty.
1 Samuel 15:22
“To obey is better than sacrifice.”
Many are busy with religious activity but lack a true relationship with God. Service must flow from love—not replace it.
Revelation 2:4
“Thou hast left thy first love.”
John 15:11
“That my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
This is the heart of the passage: full, complete joy.
This joy is not like worldly happiness, which depends on circumstances. It remains even in suffering.
Matthew 5:11–12
“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad…”
Acts 16:25
“At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God.”
This is supernatural joy—the world cannot give it.
Some Christians lack joy because they have replaced it with worldly pleasures:
Material possessions
Entertainment
Worldly relationships
Comfort and ease
They have little joy in:
God’s Word
Prayer
Fellowship
Witnessing
Luke 8:14
“Choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life…”
Others lack joy because they lack true repentance.
True joy begins with godly sorrow.
The sinful woman in Luke 7 wept at Jesus’ feet—broken over her sin. That sorrow led to forgiveness and love.
Luke 7:47
“Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much…”
David experienced this as well:
Psalm 32:3–5
When he hid his sin, he was miserable.
When he confessed, he was forgiven.
And what followed?
Psalm 32:11
“Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice…”
No
repentance → no true joy.
Deep repentance → deep joy.
After the resurrection, two disciples walked in sorrow on the road to Emmaus. When Christ revealed Himself through the Scriptures:
Luke 24:32
“Did not our heart burn within us…?”
That is the joy of fellowship with Christ through His Word.
1 Peter 1:8
“Ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
Many will work tirelessly for money—but hesitate to serve God freely.
This exposes the heart.
Mark 8:36
“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
True joy is not found in gain—but in God.
Nehemiah 8:10
“The joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Why did the
people weep first?
Because the Word exposed their sin.
Their sorrow
led to repentance.
Their repentance led to joy.
Do you have this joy?
If not, examine your life:
Are you abiding in Christ?
Is His Word abiding in you?
Are you walking in obedience?
Is there true repentance in your life?
Abide in Him. Obey His Word. Seek His will.
Then—and
only then—
your
joy will be full.