By Alex Murashko

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

Are you struggling with hurts, hang-ups, or habits* that are keeping you down? Don’t lose hope. Our victory comes as we abide in Jesus. 

There is a path that we can and must follow in order to be victorious.

First, surrender. Realize your way is not working.

After we recognize our brokenness, and know that Jesus died for our sins, and commit to follow Him all the days of our lives, we begin to dwell in Christ and He in us. This is the case whether we pray to accept Him for the first time or pray to recalibrate our walk with Him. 

When we come to know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, we joyfully want to abide in Him.

In order to live and not die, residing in Him is our only choice.

The Apostle John explains this life-giving force of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit by using the grapevine as an analogy.

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” (John 15:1) He then said in the next verse: “Every branch in Me (Jesus) that does not bear fruit He (God the Father) takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” 

As followers of Christ, we are saved because the word is spoken to us.  

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

Jesus describes us as the branches of the grapevine.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:5-6) 

Abide or Go It Alone

We have a clear choice. Victory or defeat. Life or death. Heaven or hell. Abide in Jesus or wither and be thrown into the fire.

The good news is that we have another Helper! He is the Holy Spirit.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15-17) 

We can do life in Jesus–victoriously and abundantly. Considering the current state of the world, that’s really Good News!

Dear Jesus, thank you for being our intercessor. Thank you for wanting us to abide in you and you abiding in us. We pray that we can always recognize that relationship. We pray for others to take that first step to an eternal life with you. Amen 

*hurts, hang-ups, or habits: Celebrate Recovery

Alex Murashko is a journalist and writing team leader for Think Eternity, a site for powerful faith content to help you live the fulfilled life in Jesus. Murashko is also founder of Media on Mission.

Connect on X (formerly Twitter): @AlexMurashko.