Living Where God Dwells

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

There was a time when God’s presence was experienced in a garden, then later in a tent, and eventually in a temple. Each space was marked off as holy—not because of the location itself, but because God chose to be there.

But when Jesus came, everything changed.

Jesus did not invite people to travel to sacred space. He invited them to remain in Him.

The word Jesus uses here—abide—means to stay, to dwell, to make your home. It is not a command to work harder or try better. It is an invitation to live consciously in His presence.

So often we think of God as someone far off, calling on Him from time to time—in prayer, in church, in moments of need. But Jesus turns that idea upside down. He tells us that He is the place where life flows, where fruit grows, where strength is found. Sacred space is no longer a destination. It is a relationship.

• To abide is to stay connected when you feel weak, distracted, or dry.
• To abide is to believe that fruit comes from closeness--relationship, not trying harder.

Jesus does not say, “Produce fruit so you can stay.” He says, “Stay—and fruit will come.”

This is good news for those who have tried to be better Christians, to do more Kingdom work, or to work harder.

The truth is that fruit is produced by the vine, not by the branches. A branch that has lost its connection to the vine will not bear fruit. The healthiest fruit comes from living attached to the vine.

Wherever you are today—at your kitchen table, in a hospital room, on a mission field, or sitting quietly with your Bible—you are invited to live where God dwells. Not someday. Not after you’ve done more. But now.

Remain in Him – through Jesus, God has made His home with us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, teach me what it means to remain in You. Quiet my striving and draw my heart back to Your presence. Help me live today from closeness – from relationship, not effort. I choose to abide in You. Amen.

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© 2026 Jan Ross
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