The Invitation to Abide: Finding Real Life in Jesus
Pastor Reed Sowell
We’re all looking for life—real life. The kind that satisfies more than a fleeting high or moment of success. But where do you find that kind of life, the kind that sustains your soul and gives you peace beyond your circumstances? The answer, surprisingly, isn’t found in trying harder or doing more. It’s found in staying connected—to Jesus.
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A Better Way to Live
Most of us are moving fast. Schedules are full, minds are cluttered, and hearts are exhausted. The constant chase for more—more achievement, more approval, more control—leaves little space for presence. But what if the better life we’re craving isn’t found in more activity, but more connection?
Jesus offers a better way. In John 15:1–8, He paints a picture of how to live that better life—not by striving but by abiding. He says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener… Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself” (John 15:1,4 NIV). The invitation is not to perform but to stay connected. This is where life starts and where it continues.
What Does It Mean to Abide?
The word “abide” can sound distant or overly spiritual, but it simply means to remain, stay, dwell, or continue. It’s not a one-time choice—it’s a posture, a lifestyle. Abiding is the kind of relationship where you don't rush out after a quick interaction. You stay. You’re rooted.
Jesus is calling for a relationship that’s not based on short-term visits or emergency calls. He’s not asking for perfection, but for presence. This is about slowing down enough to be with Him, to remain in His love, and to let His words sink deep into the soil of your soul.
Remaining Leads to Fruitfulness
We often get this backward. Most people think they need to produce fruit to prove they belong. But in God’s Kingdom, belonging precedes bearing. Jesus says in John 15:5, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (NIV).
So what kind of fruit shows up when we remain in Him?
Love that isn’t dependent on how others treat us.
Joy that doesn’t collapse under pressure.
Peace that holds steady when things fall apart.
Patience that doesn’t run out after a bad day.
Kindness that surprises others.
Faithfulness that keeps showing up.
Real fruit takes time. But it grows when we’re rooted in something deeper than our own effort.
Abiding Isn’t About Trying Harder
The pressure to perform is exhausting. It creeps into our spirituality, making us believe we need to do more to be close to God. But Jesus doesn’t say, “Try harder and you’ll find me.” He says, “Remain in me.”
This isn’t a call to religious hustle—it’s a call to relational closeness. You don’t abide by getting everything right. You abide by choosing to stay close, even when you’re tired, even when you’ve messed up. It’s more about dependence than discipline. More about trust than technique.
The Father is the Gardener
Jesus calls God the Father the “gardener” or “vinedresser.” That’s not accidental. A gardener is careful and intentional. He knows where to prune, when to water, and what needs to be cut back so something better can grow.
John 15:2 says, “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (NIV). Sometimes God’s pruning feels like loss or discomfort. But pruning isn’t punishment—it’s preparation. He’s clearing space so something more beautiful can grow in us.
What Happens When We Don’t Remain?
There’s a warning in the same passage: “If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers” (John 15:6 NIV). That word—wither—is key. When we disconnect from the source of life, we dry out. Maybe not all at once, but slowly.
You can attend church, read your Bible, and still wither if you’re not connected to the life of Jesus. Abiding isn’t just about spiritual activity—it’s about relationship. Disconnection leads to exhaustion. Connection leads to life.
The Joy of Remaining
Abiding isn’t a burden—it’s a gift. Jesus promises that remaining in Him leads to joy: “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11 NIV). This isn’t shallow happiness. It’s joy that endures.
There’s a kind of joy that only grows in closeness with Jesus. Not in religion or routine. But in the quiet confidence that you’re never alone, never unloved, and never without purpose.
How Do You Actually Abide?
It’s one thing to know we should abide—it’s another to know how. The practice of abiding isn’t formulaic, but it’s not vague either. Here are a few starting points:
Slow down. Make room in your schedule for stillness.
Listen. Spend time reading Scripture not to check a box, but to listen for His voice.
Talk with God. Not just formal prayers—real conversation throughout your day.
Remain aware. Keep coming back to His presence even when your mind wanders.
Live loved. Abiding starts when you know you're already accepted.
These are rhythms, not rules. They help create space for connection.
Fruit Grows in Hidden Places
Much of the fruit that comes from abiding grows where no one sees. It develops in early mornings, quiet moments, unnoticed prayers. There’s nothing flashy about roots, but without them, the fruit doesn’t last.
If you’re looking for more impact in your life, don’t start with outcomes—start with intimacy. Stay connected in the hidden places, and fruit will follow. Fruitfulness is a byproduct of faithfulness.
A Connected Life is a Free Life
Remaining in Jesus frees us from chasing approval and striving for worth. When your identity is rooted in who He is, not what you do, you can rest. You don’t have to hustle for what you already have.
This kind of freedom isn’t loud, but it’s powerful. It changes how you see your work, your relationships, your failures, and your future. You live differently when you know you’re deeply connected to love that never lets go.
You Were Made for Connection
At the core of the human experience is a need for connection—not just with people, but with God. Abiding answers that need. It invites us to a life that’s not defined by what we produce but by who we’re connected to.
This is more than a spiritual concept. It’s a lifestyle of love, presence, and peace. And it’s available to you right now, wherever you are.
Questions to Consider
Where do you feel most disconnected right now?
What practices in your day draw you closer to Jesus?
Are there any areas where God may be pruning you for greater fruitfulness?
What would it look like for you to slow down and remain?
Want to Go Deeper?
Take 10 minutes today to sit in silence and reflect on John 15:1–11.
Choose one daily habit (like your morning coffee or commute) to turn into a moment of abiding.
Invite someone into a conversation about what abiding looks like in your current season.
Further Reading
“The Secret of Abiding” – Desiring God
“What Does it Mean to Abide in Christ?” – Crosswalk
Other Links
Want to hear more? Check out last week’s message titled, “The Power of Presence” from Pastor Reed at View Church.
For more tools to grow your faith, visit our Resources Page.