5 Tips for Abiding in Christ

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If you’re hopping over here from my Proverbs 31 devotion today, then welcome!  For all my regular bloggy friends, happy Friday!

The message of today’s Proverbs 31 devotion, Can’t Do It Alone, was that although we think we are capable of handling life, and circumstances, on our own, we simply are not. Despite all the experience, training, skills or maturity we may possess,  we will constantly be faced with frustration and discouragement if we try to have authority over our lives, instead of surrendering to God’s authority and recognizing our need for His intervention and help. 

The word “abide” means ‘to remain, continue, or dwell in; to continue in a particular condition, attitude or relationship”.  I think sometimes we make the thought of ‘abiding in Christ’ harder than it needs to be. Our minds envision someone ‘abiding in Christ’ as a person who is super spiritual all the time, quoting scripture, preaching on stage, or meditating for hours on end. Although those things are good, they are not requirements for abiding in Christ.

Let’s look at it this way – the opposite of the word abide is ‘to leave, quit or refuse’. So to abide in Christ means to live in Him and allow Him to live in you – the opposite of refusing Him, leaving Him, or ceasing to believe. 

Abiding in Christ is simply a commitment to be in a relationship with Him, and our commitment will compel us to carry out the behaviors that bear fruit in our lives.  Below are 5 tips for abiding in Christ to help you in your daily quest to stay connected to the Vine as we are encouraged to do in John 15:5.

1. Recognize your need for God. 
    John 6:35  Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again.     Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

2. Believe that He is capable of handling your life, and the problems within. 
    2 Corinthians 9:8  “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have               everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.”

3. Remember you are chosen by God, and He wants to be in an intimate relationship with you.
   1 Peter 2:9 “……  for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own       possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the             darkness into his wonderful light.”

4. Communicate with God as you go about your day and enjoy conversation with Him.
    1 Thessalonians 5:17  “Never stop praying.”

5. Obey His Word. Allow His instructions to guide your behaviors and actions.
    1 John 3:24 “Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with            them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.

Abiding in Christ does not determine our eternal security – only our faith in Him does that. Yet, His call to abide in Him is intended for our own good. He knows that when we dwell in Him, and experience His presence in our lives, we will be filled with peace, comfort and assurance of His sovereignty and unconditional love.  We will be equipped to handle stressful situations when they flood into our lives. We will be capable of surviving the storms of life, because we dwell in Him.

When we experience His love, we will live out our lives as an expression of His love, and that is a true sign of really abiding.

* My 10 Day Stress Detox would be a great tool to help you really focus on making abiding in Christ a priority in your faith walk and in your life! Sign up soon if you are interested!

10 Comments

  1. Kristi Butler on Friday, August 24, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    Thank you for your beautiful reminders today. Oh how we need Him! You are a blessing!
    Love and hugs!



    • Tracie Miles on Friday, August 24, 2012 at 2:53 pm

      Thx Kristi! 🙂



  2. anniess on Friday, August 24, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    I read your article and appreciated it. One of the best teachings that helped me know HOW to abide, was every thought I had that did not line up with what the Word says, change to what the Word says. For example, if I (naturally) think “I can’t do that,” think, according to the mind of the Spirit, “I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Be blessed!



  3. Kim on Friday, August 24, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    Thank you for todays post. I am one of those people who have always thought abiding in Christ meant I should spend hours praying, meditating etc and when I didn’t I felt like a failure. Thanks to you, I now understand that “Abiding in Christ is simply a commitment to be in a relationship with Him.” I will not feel guilty if I only have a minute here and there because I am abiding in the Lord throughout my day. Many Blessings to you!



  4. Lisa Scott on Friday, August 24, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    I don’t see where to sign up on my phone



    • Tracie Miles on Friday, August 24, 2012 at 2:52 pm

      At the bottom of the page on your phone screen you should see ‘web version’ . Click on that and you will exit mobile version and you should see the regular page with the sign up form. Thx!



  5. Machelle on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 2:13 am

    Signed up. Why do I constantly need reminders that I don’t have to handle everything my self? Why do I forget I am a child of the king? So glad I am not alone.thanks in advance my sisters for praying for my struggles:)



  6. Kate on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 5:10 pm

    Kim, I have felt the same way for many years. I summed up all that I have been through in the last few years as a result of not being a good enough Christian because I don’t spend hours in devotions, prayers and reading every day. I have always been one to talk to God all day just as I would talk to my girlfriends throughout the day, but I had the perception that it wasn’t enough. I am a very real person who just isn’t comfortable with the formalities that many Christians practice. It just doesn’t feel real to me. I recognize the need to congregate as Christians to learn, share, and grow, I just haven’t been able to find that yet…and that’s okay! People are people, and even Christians can make each other feel like they have follow a certain routine to be ‘a good enough Christian.’ that’s why I like today’s message; all Gid is after, is a personal relationship with each and every one of us. A relationship that will look very different from person to person because we are all made differently; connect differently; and need differently. As long as you are in tune with what God is leading YOU to do with your everyday life, you are on the right track. And let’s be honest here…none of are ‘good enough’ Christians because we are all sinners…BUT… We ARE all worthy enough to be loved by our perfect and loving God…just the way we are!



  7. Kate on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    Christian.’ that’s why I like today’s message; all Gid is after, is a personal relationship with each and every one of us. A relationship that will look very different from person to person because we are all made differently; connect differently; and need differently. As long as you are in tune with what God is leading YOU to do with your everyday life, you are on the right track. And let’s be honest here…none of are ‘good enough’ Christians because we are all sinners…BUT… We ARE all worthy enough to be loved by our perfect and loving God…just the way we are



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Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

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