Comparing "In Christ" and "Abiding in Christ" in the New Testament

 

Comparing "In Christ" and "Abiding in Christ" in the New Testament

 

John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

 

Aspect	In Christ (Union)	Abiding in Christ (Communion)
Essence	The believer's life union with Christ	The believer's ongoing life communion with Christ
Nature	A positional fact	An experiential reality
Establishment	New identity obtained through faith in Christ	Maintained through continual closeness to Christ
Emphasis	Emphasizes union with Christ's life	Emphasizes ongoing interaction and exchange with Christ
Analogy	Like a branch grafted onto the vine	Like a branch continuously drawing nourishment from the vine
Key Scripture	1 Corinthians 1:30 "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus"	John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you"
Practical Meaning	The believer's new identity and position in Christ	Ongoing life exchange and interaction between the believer and Christ
Result	Receiving salvation, becoming a new creation	Bearing spiritual fruit, continuous life renewal

 

Explanation:

1. In Christ (Union):
• This is a matter of position and identity.
• When a person trusts in Christ, they are immediately placed in the position of being "in Christ".
• This union is the foundation of salvation, representing the believer's life union with Christ.
• This is an objective fact, not dependent on the believer's feelings or experiences.
2. Abiding in Christ (Communion):
• This is a matter of experience and relationship.
• It refers to the believer's continuous maintenance of intimate communion with Christ.
• It requires the believer to actively maintain and deepen this relationship.
• This communion deepens as the believer's spiritual life grows.

This insight helps us understand more accurately the distinction between these two concepts:

• "In Christ" is the foundation of our union with Christ, our position of salvation.
• "Abiding in Christ" is the ongoing life communion and interaction with Christ based on this foundation.

 

This understanding emphasizes two important aspects of Christian life: the new identity we receive through faith (union), and the relationship with the Lord that we need to continuously cultivate (communion). This not only helps us better understand our position in Christ but also reminds us to actively maintain our relationship with the Lord, keeping ongoing communion.

 

*Please refer to the 2024 Memorial Day Conference - The Christian Life, Week Four: Abiding in Christ, the True Vine