How to See Life in 321 - a Guide to John's GospelSample

What is a Christian?

So often, people answer this question according to a list of beliefs or behaviours. That might not be a bad thing, but it doesn’t get to the heart of the matter. When the Bible describes a Christian, it speaks—over 150 times—in terms of being “in Christ.”

That little word “in” is amazing. Think of all the words the Bible could use to describe our relationship with Jesus. It could say we are “under Christ” — under his care and authority. This is true and sometimes the Bible speaks in those terms. It could say we are “after Christ” — following his lead. This is also true and the Bible uses this language too. It could say that we are “with Christ” — shoulder to shoulder with our Savior. Again, the Bible uses such language at times. But far more frequently, the Bible speaks of being “in Christ.” And you cannot get closer than ‘in’! This is the point about ONE-ness with Jesus, which we keep returning to.

Jesus does not simply offer life coaching from on high. And it’s not merely that he offers salvation at a distance. Jesus made himself ONE with us when he became human at that first Christmas, and we can be made ONE with him when we receive him by faith.

There are many pictures of ONE-ness given in the Bible but in John chapter 15, we have one of the most profound. Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Jesus does not say that he is the root structure and we are the branches. He is the whole Vine, and we are a part of him. We make our home in him — that’s what the ‘remain’ language is all about. To believe in Jesus is to be snipped out of Adam’s family tree, and grafted into Christ. The believer is now ONE with Christ and shares in the nourishing ‘sap’ of his Spirit.

As you read John chapter 15, consider the closeness of the believer to Jesus. Consider also the ways we will need to ‘remain’ in Jesus, given the difficulties of life. In particular, look out for two things: there’s the ‘pruning’ which the Father performs, in order to make us more fruitful; and there’s persecution from the world, which is promised to all believers. Ask yourself what is Jesus’ picture of the Christian life in John 15. How would he describe a Christian?