Abide
In John 15 Jesus makes the point that we are to abide in Him. The word abide means “to continue”… but continue what? Do we simply abide in our intellectual belief? Abide in the notion that Christ is the Son of God? Abide in the idea that Christ is Lord?
I believe the answer lies in the names Jesus is personified as in His word.
John said, “He is the WORD” (John 1:1, 14): we abide in Jesus when we continue in His word, as He has revealed Himself, not as we would have Him to be.
Jesus said, “I am the LIGHT of the world” (John 8:12): we abide in Jesus when we continue to walk in the light and not in the darkeness (1 Jn 1:6, Jn 3:19-21)
Jesus said, “I am the WAY” (John 14:6): we abide in Jesus when we continue in the way in which He has called us, denying ourselves and setting our hearts on His kingdom. Not on our own worldly pursuits. (Col 3:2-4, Matt 6:19-21, Matt 16:24, 1 Jn 2:15).
Jesus said, “I am truth” (John 14:6): we abide in Jesus when we continue to walk in truth, not deceiving ourselves (Heb 3:12-14, Gal 6:7, 2 Thes 2:10).
John said, “God is love” (1 John 4:8): we abide is God and thus in Jesus when we continue to seek another’s highest good. For that is love.
These are the evidences that we are abiding in Him. And the promise is that if we do, our lives will produce much fruit and thus prove that we are His disciples (John 15:8).
Sometimes a list can be daunting, cold and legalistic. But each of these can be summed up in a word. Surrender... surrender is not a work. In fact it's the opposite of work. It literally means to no longer fight against. When we cease trying to have our own way, we walk in His. When we cease trying to determine our own truth, we accept His. When we cease from trying to keep our deeds from being exposed, we come into His light where we can be set free from the fear of having our deeds revealed. Abiding in Him is ceasing to fight against Him and accepting whatever cross He has called us to.
Trust Him. He knows what He’s doing and He seeks your highest good.
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