This our abiding in Christ is expounded, by an abiding in his words, 1 Thessalonians 15:7, by abiding in his love, 1 Thessalonians 15:10, an abiding in his Spirit, 1 John 2:27, a walking as Christ walked, 1 John 2:6, an abiding in the light, 1 Thessalonians 15:10, not sinning, 1 John 3:6. The exhortation is, without doubt, to a holiness of life and conversation, by which our union and communion with Christ is upheld and maintained, and which is in itself an abiding in the love of Christ: nor is there a want of sufficient reason for this exhortation, though our union with Christ cannot be dissolved, nor our communion with him wholly interrupted; because,
1. It must be upheld and maintained on our part by the exercises of faith and holiness.
2. The sense of it in our souls may be eclipsed, and wholly fail, Psalms 22:1.
3. We may fall away foully, though neither totally, (as Lutherans say), because the seed of God abideth in the believer; nor yet finally (as papists say). We had need therefore of all exhortations and arguments imaginable, to persuade us to do what in us lieth that we may abide in him. We have a great encouragement to the use of all possible endeavours to abide in the love of God, from the promise annexed, and I in you; that is, I will abide in you; do you strive, and I will help you to perfect; do you fight, and I will help you to overcome; I will continue to you such gradual influences of grace, as shall be sufficient for you; grace wherein and whereby you shall stand, Romans 5:2. You shall be kept by the power of God through faith to salvation, 1 Peter 1:5. But look as it is with the branch, it cannot bear fruit of itself; but if it be once separated from the influences of the stock, it dies and withers; so it will be with you, you can bring forth no fruit unless you abide in me.