Reality of the Abiding

I believe it's important to read the First Epistle of John over and over again to get a sense of how Jesus taught his disciples practical truths which they put into practice in their daily living after his death, resurrection, and ascension. One cannot read the First Epistle of John without immersing oneself in the Gospel of John, chapter 15, where we find Jesus' discourse on the vine and the branches. For time and time again in the First Epistle of John we are confronted with the word abide.

In John 2.28 we read, And now, little children, abide in him, that when he shall appear we may have confidence, and not be ashamed, before him at his coming. The teaching emphasis of John chapter 15 is the abiding life of Christ's disciples abiding in him. In the First Epistle of John is textbook discipleship, for here is a disciple of Jesus teaching his own disciples the very same practical truths that Jesus entrusted with him.

I would strongly suggest, friends, a thorough reading of John chapter 15 and then read the First Epistle of John to see the similarities of the principal truth of abiding in Christ Jesus. You will be amazed how frequently the word abide or abideth appears. It will be helpful to you as well as you read the First Epistle of John to take out a pen and circle the word abide or abideth every time it appears.

This is an indication that Christ's disciples were taking the truths that Jesus taught them and implementing them into a practical reality in their lives to continue the presence of Christ in their lives and ministry by the indwelling spirit of God. It is evident from reading the First Epistle of John that the Apostle John was living the reality of the abiding principle that Jesus taught him from Jesus' discourse in the Gospel of John chapter 15. The word abide, in the original Greek language, is the word mano, and it means to dwell in a place, to tarry there with expectancy.

It evokes the image to remain in a place of close intimacy with Christ Jesus, lingering there, bathing there in his divine presence so that the Christian can live a practical life of obedience to Christ, of fruitfulness for Christ, and usefulness to Christ. For to abide in Jesus under his Lordship is carried out by the power of the Holy Spirit as seen in 2 Corinthians 3.17 which states, Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, meaning power, to live the Christian life. This verse can also read, Now the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit is Lord is liberty, describing perfectly a life lived under the Lordship of Christ Jesus.

The reality of abiding in Christ is to be a daily practical application in the life of the believer. This is where he or she receives power from above to live the Christian life down here when the abiding fellowship is broken by sin. For every believer still possesses a fallen sin nature, we can go to 1 John 1.9 and read, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The key to living the Christian life in victory is to develop the principle of abiding in Christ and applying the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to live above the world. My homiletical mentor, Dr. Stephen F. Alford, taught me the final one principle to live in beneath the Lordship of Christ in an unbroken walk with Him. Dr. Alford said, We must live beneath a cloudless sky in our walk with our Lord, and every time a temptation of sin arises that could break our fellowship and intimacy with Him and a cloud appears, I immediately ask the Lord to take it to the cross by saying, Nail it, Lord! Nail it! Stephen Alford's advice has helped me through the years to live a more abundant life in Christ.

I hope this little lesson on the abiding has been helpful to you as well, for the abiding life is the best life. Let us pray.