Where Do You Stand With Jesus?

The difference between being near Him and being in Him.

Where you stand with Jesus makes all the difference—it defines the distance between life and death.

Apart from Jesus

Those who stand apart from Jesus are like the walking dead—severed from the true Vine and destined to wither and perish.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." ~ John 15:5

These are individuals who have chosen to walk their own path outside of faith.

Out in Front

Some walk ahead of Jesus, unsure if He’s truly behind them, yet hoping He will protect and bless their pursuits.

There are many Christians—myself included at times—who assume we can move forward and pursue anything that appears “Godly” without first ensuring our hearts are truly aligned with God. For real obedience is not just about intention; it flows from a relationship that is strong, repentant, and pure.

That alignment is cultivated through prayer, fasting, and being rooted in God’s Word, while also walking in obedience to all He commands.

Turned Around, Facing Him

Others face Jesus but look past Him—seeking what He can bring into their lives rather than seeking Him.

Many Christians come to Jesus expecting the blessings He gives, while forgetting that He Himself is the true blessing. The gifts He provides are good because they come from Him—but when we focus more on what He offers than on who He is, we risk missing the most important treasure of all: Jesus Himself

By His Side

Some stand beside Jesus, waiting to see what He will do. Lacking direction or courage, they only step forward when something feels exciting or spiritually stirring. But when the excitement fades, they often drift away. They wait for Him to act before they move, while He waits for them to follow so He can work through them.

I have been guilty of this myself—sitting on the sidelines, calling it “waiting on the Lord,” when in reality it was often fear or a lack of faith. Are we called to wait on the Lord? Absolutely. But waiting does not mean inactivity. It means not forcing our own way, while continually moving with our eyes fixed on Jesus, trusting Him to lead as He opens and closes doors.

Behind Him

Others stand behind Jesus, pointing to Him and desiring to give God glory, yet still expecting Him to do everything—carry them, open every door, and do the work on their behalf—while they remain passive. But when they are called to step out in faith, they often hesitate and lose sight of Him in the process.

King Saul and his army stood at a distance, watching and waiting. David, however, stepped forward in faith and faced Goliath with God. This is the kind of living faith God calls us to—one that doesn’t just observe what God can do, but actively trusts Him enough to move when He says go.

In Him

Then there are those who are in Him—fully surrendered to Jesus, adopting His desires as their own. They have died to themselves and live through Him. As branches firmly rooted in the Vine, they glorify Christ and remain steadfast through trials.

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." ~ Galatians 2:20

Jesus said, “Abide in Me (John 15:5).” To abide is to remain, to stay rooted and anchored in Him. It is a life of continual dependence and obedience to His commands, drawing us deeper into the love of Christ and yielding to the work of the Holy Spirit within us. As we abide, His life is formed in us, and His fruit is produced through us. This is what it means to truly live in Him.

Summary

• Apart from Jesus: No life, no fruit, no salvation.
• Out in Front: Pursuing their own way, hoping Jesus will follow.
• Facing Him: Seeking His blessings more than His presence.
• By His Side: Passive, waiting for excitement instead of faith.
• Behind Him: Pointing to Him but unwilling to take responsibility.
• In Him: Fully surrendered, alive, and fruitful.

"In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." ~ John 14:20

“Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.” ~ 1 Timothy 6:12