John 15 - Abiding in Christ

Romans 12:4-8 describes the body of Christ as having members that each does a different function. Ideally in this way John 15:1-17 shows Jesus reminding the disciples that they must remain in Jesus and that they will produce much fruit if they remain in Jesus. If however the disciples separated from Jesus, then they would not produce any spiritual fruit anymore and would be gathered together and destroyed. Overall, if Jesus was willing to say such things to the twelve, then one must reason that he would also say these things to those whom became disciples of each of the twelve as well.

The fact of the matter is that each of the twelve had a vast investment made into each of them, and if they had not been fruitful, then God would have cursed them dead. The fact is that the twelve had all likely lived with Jesus and had, 'totally' subsided to him, so if the twelve went away from this lifestyle, then they would be withdrawing from Christ or even reject him. Overall, the twelve had to be in Christ Jesus in order to continue on their way without being condemned to hell.

Unfortunately John 15:18-25 shows that the disciples would seemingly be cursed and hated by the world, and one can conclude that although salvation is considered a good thing, the process of living in the world is considered a very highly destructive thing full of persecution. The point is that the disciples would be put directly in harm's way by Jesus Christ. The fact of the matter is that the disciples either had damnation if they withdrew from Christ as is seen in John 15:1-17 or they would be persecuted and hated if they stayed in Christ according to John 15:18-25. The point is that either way the disciples would be under a course as a result of Jesus, and only a possibility existed that the world might not hate the disciples for their faith in Jesus Christ.

John 15:26-27 shows Jesus instructing the disciples regarding the counselor, and the idea is that when he would come he would help the disciples to testify regarding Jesus Christ. As a result of this Holy Ghost, the disciples would be more able to abide in Christ. The point is that the disciple had extra help and provision by God to accomplish the mission of Christ. Overall, God did not send the disciples out alone but instead provided them with the help of the Holy Ghost.

One could conclude that abiding in Jesus Christ means continuing to have the lordship of Christ over a person's life. The point is that to be continually submitted to God a person must continue on as Christ continued on with the disciples. Overall, regardless of what Jesus says in John 15, Philippians 1:6 shows that Christ will not start a work and not finish it (this guarantees salvation once Christ has started working in the believer).