Given the analogy that Jesus uses, that he is the vine, his Father is the gardener, and we are the branches, it seems clear that the mystery of “remaining in” means to keep connected to God. This is something we have talked about frequently at Think-Biblically.com, building connections with God. In this case, however, we can discern a very specific way to build a connection, perseverance. “Remaining in” implies connection, but simply “remaining” involves persevering. Therefore, we are to persevere in our relationship with God to abide in him.

It follows, then, that letting the word remain in us means building connections between ourselves and God’s word, the Bible. When we are faced with a decision, we can point to Scriptures that help guide us in making right choices. While a daily quiet time and Bible study will aid in this pursuit nothing is better than memorizing Scripture.

Obeying God’s commands seems simple enough, until we start trying to discern exactly which commands. Paul tells us we are no longer under the law, but Jesus iterates 11 commands we should still follow. The greatest commandment, to love God, and the second greatest, to love others are two of these and are mentioned here in the context reinforcing these are included. The other nine are from the 10 Commandments, all of them except keeping the Sabbath were taught by Jesus during his earthly ministry. Since these nine are not mentioned in this context, or anywhere close to it, we can safely say that loving God and others are the commandments in view. For the sake of being complete, though, it should be mentioned that obeying the commands of Jesus no matter where they are found is always God’s will for one’s life.

Finally, our joy is to be complete in God. When you love someone, joy is felt when you hear their voice, see their visage, or are in their presence. This is the joy of knowing God too. One can mentally acknowledge the existence of God, believe the Bible is his word, and follow commandments without loving God. We know we love God when reading or memorizing his word is a joy, when prayer seems to make us complete, when fear submits to our need to tell others about Jesus. This is our joy being made complete in God.

The will of God is not a mystery to be sought or a mystical undertaking. Our purpose – God’s will for our lives – is that we love him just as he loves us. In doing so we will abide in him, and in remaining in him we become holy. This changes us for the better and prepares us for the life that is to come. This is real freedom, freedom from trying to find the “center of God’s will”, freedom to take any profession that doesn’t require we disobey God, freedom to marry any believer who love’s us back and freedom to live God-honoring lives anywhere we might find ourselves.