1 John 2:24-25, “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us – eternal life.”
We have the constant residence of being in the presence of God the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 8:31, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Synonyms for the word abide would be continue, dwell, endure, remain, stand, and tarry (An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. W.E. Vine). As I dwell on God’s Word renewing my mind, I am tarrying – abiding – in being in the presence of Jesus Christ, which will fill me with peace and joy as I share my highs and lows with Him and seek His guidance. 1 John 2:6 declares, “Whoever says he abides in him ought also to walk in the same way he walked.”
Let’s look at the Message’s version of 1 John 2:24-25, “Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father. This is exactly what Christ promised: eternal life, real life!” Then the NLT states it this way: “So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.” “A Christian who spends time daily in the Bible and in prayer will walk in the Spirit and have the discernment he needs.” Warren Wiersbe.
Think about living out who abides in you and you in Him. What does that look like? It is an intellectual understanding and an experiential steadfast standing in what Christ has done for you and growing in your relationship, never abandoning the fundamental truths about Jesus Christ. As you grasp promises from His Word into your heart and mind, having it actively transform your mind so you can fight with your Spiritual armor day by day, one step at a time, you will abide in the Son and in the Father.
In John 13:12, after washing their feet, Jesus says to his disciples, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” They were to serve God, serve each other, and serve people with whom they would share the message of salvation. Focus on Christ and not on the pressure(s) you are facing right now. Continue, dwell, endure, remain, stand, and tarry in His presence. Abide in God’s Word. Remember Jesus’s words in John 15:5, “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.” Persevere today in abiding in Christ despite all of the world’s calamities going on around you. Believe the truth found in God’s Word that the Holy Spirit is teaching you what you need. Use it to dispel all lies tempting you to be discouraged. Keep your focus and gaze on Him. “Just as it has taught you, abide in him.” 1 John 2:27b.
Listen to The Jesus Way by Phil Wickham (Official Lyric Video) 3 months ago.