“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…
“The anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. As his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
“Now, little children, abide in him.”
“No one who abides in him keeps on sinning… Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. By this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.”
“By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit… Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 2:24,27-28; 3:6a,24; 4:13,15-16
“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
Abide: to remain stable or fixed in a state; to continue in a place; sojourn; to live or stay somewhere; to remain or dwell
John, who began his gospel introducing Jesus as the Word, recorded many words about his Savior so that readers would know Him, and know that they had eternal life in Him. The deeper the word was planted, the longer it remained, the more fruit it would bear. If all that he’d written and they’d read abided in them, it could not help but make a significant, wide difference for the present and forever. (John 1:1-4,14; 20:31; 1 John 5:13)
If one thing abides, no other thing can remain in that same place. When what we hear from the Lord’s word takes up position and possession in our affections, understanding, and motivation, all former voices must be silenced. Every unrighteous desire, errant impulse, and lie we’ve believed need to go or get moved out. Abide in Me, and let my words abide in you. The Lord commands sole custody of our hearts to bring about the beauties of His glory. (Matthew 6:24; John 15:7-8)
What messages do we allow to take up room in our consciences, our outlook, our daily decisions? Do we entertain misconceptions about shame, grace, God’s love, or justice, that we need to replace with solid truth from His word? Would we welcome it to abide in our choices and drive and hopes, to bloom with love and kindness and generosity? God’s word abiding will never return void. (Isaiah 55:10-11)
“Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of your holy word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,..
Cause our faith to rise
Cause our eyes to see,
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of power that can never fail;
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.” ~Stuart Townend and Keith Getty (2005)
Lord, keep Your word abiding in me, bearing beauty for Your glory.
As the rain and snow 