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.

Out in Front

What about those who stand in front? These individuals walk ahead of Jesus, unsure if He’s truly behind them, yet hoping He will protect and bless their pursuits.

Turned Around, Facing Him

Sometimes, people are turned around, directly facing Him. They look at Jesus but focus beyond Him, seeking what He can bring into their lives. This approach often falters because they wait for Him to act before taking any steps. In contrast, Jesus waits for them to move and follow so He can work through them.

By His Side

Some stand beside Jesus, waiting to see what He will do. Lacking the faith or direction to act on their own, they only join in when they sense something exciting or spiritually stirring. They often lose interest and chase the next new thing that appears.

Behind Him

Others may stand behind Jesus, pointing to Him, seeking no credit, and desiring to give God the glory. They want Jesus to protect and guide them but often expect Him to do everything—carry them and open every door—while they take a passive role. When asked to take an active part, they may become disheartened, lose sight of Jesus, and stray from His path.

In Him

Then there are those who stand in Him—individuals who have fully surrendered their lives to Jesus, adopting His desires as their own. They have died to themselves and are completely submitted to Him. As branches firmly rooted in the Vine, they glorify Christ and remain steadfast amidst trials. They do not lose sight, fall behind, look beyond, or walk ahead of Him because they are always in Him, and He is in them.

I’m not addressing salvation directly here. It’s clear that those who stand apart from Jesus are not saved. For others, certainty may be elusive, but those who are not "In Him" are at risk and have little assurance. Remember, being a Christian means having Christ in you, as Jesus told His disciples: "In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you."