Abide Means To Remain – To Continually Be Present

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Doing a study of the word abide in the Bible shows me that the apostle John liked the word abide better than anyone. John used that word 55 times when writing the gospel of John and in his letters, 1, 2, 3, John, and Revelation.

The first time John used the term abide was in John 1:32 when he gave his eye witness account of the Holy Spirit descending from heaven and remaining on Jesus.

John 15:1-8 may be the most famous passage regarding abiding. Here John recorded his first-hand account of Jesus’ final conversation and instruction to his disciples before enduring the cross. He used the analogy of the vine and the branches to explain how abiding means staying connected/joined to the life giver, i.e. Jesus, the Vine.

God gives us the gift of continually being present with us and in us, and He calls us to continually be present with Him and to remain in Him.

The Effects of Not Abiding

Thinking about what that looked like, several movies came to mind. Last month I watched one of them, The Santa Clause. I love that movie! It ranks high on my list of favorite Christmas movies. The story line isn’t that uncommon for family movies depicting one of the parents, most often the dad, not being present in their children’s lives. Usually their career captivates their time and attention. And even though they have a desire to spend time with their children, the demands of their job and career overrule. Hence, the children get the short end of the stick.

Of course, the lack of being present with family members upsets the relationship and usually these consequences filter through the entire family. I wonder how impacted we are personally when we don’t abide or remain continually in God’s presence. How does that impact our other relationships? I believe it makes a huge difference in both.

In John 15:4-7, Jesus repeats the phrase abide in Me in nearly every sentence. As a parent anytime I wanted to make sure that I got my point across to my kids, I repeated the point over and over until I believed they got it. Jesus wanted His disciples, me and you, to understand how important abiding in Him is. So, what does abiding look like? I believe we see the “how to” of abiding in John 15:7.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,

you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

John 15:7

Abiding in God’s Word

Jesus is the Word made flesh. (John 1:14) When we open His word, dwell and meditate on His word, study and wrestle with His word, trust, and rest in His word, we are remaining in Christ and Christ remains in us. Notice the added benefit in John 15:7, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John basically reiterates this point in 1 John 5:14-15.

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything 

according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, 

whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

1 John 5:14

This promise isn’t about getting everything on our wish list. Instead this points to the transformation of our desires because of our continual remaining in Christ and He remaining in us. Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet reminds us in Isaiah 55:11 that God’s Word does what He sent it to do. God’s Word transforms us and our desires to look more and more like Jesus.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being

transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18

I delight in the transformation abiding in Christ brings.

When I recognized that abide was my word for the year, I also sensed there was something more. I needed an adverb that clarified and defined how I wanted to abide. I want to abide intimately. On a deeper level than I currently abide. You see, I do abide, but I also believe there is more. I don’t want to miss out on more of Jesus in my life.

Remaining Brought Me This Far

When I think about the Lord and how far He has brought me from a broken woman, captive to sin and its effects twenty-seven years ago. I know abiding in Christ brought me this far. In John 12:46, Jesus said, I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.

As I remained in the light of Jesus’ love and truth, truth replaced lies and broke the chains that linked me to my sinful past. And yes, I would even say I have experienced intimate abiding as well, but I am overdue for a refresher.

That’s what happens in long lasting relationships. We tend to get settled, going through the motions, doing the daily tasks of keeping life moving in the right direction, but sometimes intimacy slips out the back door.

There are so many benefits to long lasting relationships, so much comfort we find in true commitment. My husband and I have been married for 26 years. We know each other very well. Our familiarity with one another benefits our comfort in our relationship, but that same familiarity can also pose as the enemy of intimacy. Therefore, out of our commitment to one another, we intentionally strive toward stoking the flames of intimacy in our relationship.

Intimacy produces rich rewarding relationships, so settling for comfort and commitment isn’t an option when you want the rich rewarding relationship. So as we desire spiritual growth and intimacy with Jesus we have to strive for that intentionally.

Here Are A Few Ways I Personally Strive For Intimacy With Jesus:

1. Ask Jesus for deeper intimacy with Him.

2. Intentionally set time and space for alone time with Jesus.

3. Find a Bible devotional, Bible reading plan, or Bible study that helps you stay in God’s word daily. 

4. And if you are really serious about this striving for intimacy with Christ, I challenge you to my FREE 21 Day Spiritual Detox.

In light of John 15:1-8, remember that Jesus is the Vine and the Vine provides all the nutrients we need to sustain a productive life. Deep connection and intimacy bear fruit. We are called to produce fruit, but only connected to the vine, abiding intimately and continually remaining in Jesus do we bear fruit.

Much Love and Blessings!