Remaining in the Lord in the biblical context is cultivating a deep, continuous, and active relationship with Jesus Christ the Risen Lord. This is far more than a moment of expressed faith or baptism. Remaining in Christ indicates that we are connected to Him each moment of every day and drawing strength and guidance from Him. This means we are to rely by faith in Jesus as He shapes our thoughts, actions, and intents. In this we have victory in Jesus.

From John 1:12-13 we find this, “But to all who did receive Him,He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.” HCSB. Because salvation comes directly from the heart of God being the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we can understand that the crucifixion of the Son and His definitive resurrection provides us with daily victory over temptation and spiritual death.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.” John 15:1-5. 

Remaining in Christ is the result of faith being demonstrated, “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. For our ancestors won God’s approval by it. By faith we understand that the universe was created by God’s command, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3.

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed even though he did not know where he was going. And oftentimes God calls us to places we know nothing about, but upon arrival we then learn about cultures and languages. He teaches us to remain in Him. He is not absent from us.

When God calls someone to serve Him, His provision for service is always evident. He cares for us in every possible way even though we may not understand momentarily. There will often be conflicts coming from many directions that, indeed, bring physical and emotional harm, but His Spirit is always present. For this reason we find meaning in these words of Paul, “When this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? Now the sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” 1 Corinthians 15:54-57.

When we walk through dark and difficult times we are confident that Jesus is present…all of the time. Victory belongs to the Believer.

Jesus is Lord.