J. C. Ryle, who had a great passion for living a holy life, shared this powerful quote on what it means to abide in Jesus: “Abide in Me says Jesus. Cling to Me. Stick fast to Me. Live the life of close and intimate communion with Me. Get nearer to Me. Roll every burden on Me. Cast your whole weight on Me. Never let go your hold on Me for a moment. Be, as it were, rooted and planted in Me. Do this and I will never fail you. I will ever abide in you.”1
I pray you will take the time to read and re-read this quote because, not only does it help us understand what real abiding in Christ looks like, but it ends with two sentences that tell us what we can expect when we truly abide in Christ.
Do this and I will never fail you
According to Ryle, when we are abiding in Christ, we can be very confident that no matter how difficult life may get, and no matter how hopeless a situation we may be facing seems, we can rest in the knowledge that Christ will work things out for our ultimate good and His glory. Jesus often uses difficulties, trials, pain, and obstacles as his tools to build our faith and trust in Him, and as opportunities for us to glorify His name as we see how our Savior brings about victory and joy as we go through the crucible of afflictions. So let’s trust Jesus that our trials will lead to a testimony!
I will ever abide in you
This ending part of Ryle’s quote lets me know that when I truly abide in Jesus He will truly abide in me! I love this mutually abiding relationship for two reasons. First, when Jesus abides in me I can feel special and of amazing worth that the Creator of the universe loves me so much that He chose to live within me! And second, with Christ abiding in me I know He will always guide me on the best path of life, He will give me wonderful peace and amazing joy, and He will supply me with His awesome power to defeat my arch enemy, Satan, at every turn. In short, with Christ abiding in me, I need never fear, always rejoice, and have His absolute assurance that I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus! And my friends, this mutually abiding relationship will last for all eternity!