February 16, 2003
John the Apostle stresses
the doctrine of abiding in Christ, which is absolutely essential for the
believer if there is to be any power and effectiveness in the life. Questions may arise in our minds, however,
such as: “Why is abiding in Christ
necessary? What are the dangers to
abiding in Christ? What is the result
of abiding in Christ?” These pertinent
questions are answered in our passage this week.
The need to abide. As for you, let that abide in you which you
heard from the beginning. If what you
heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in
the Father (v. 24). Abiding in
Christ is inseparably linked with abiding in the Word. Abiding in Christ is absolutely essential to
the enjoyment of fellowship with God and with God’s people (2:10), overcoming
the evil one (2:14), and answered prayer (John 15:7).
The truth that abiding
in Christ reveals. And
this is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life (v.25). If we are abiding in Christ, we have eternal
life in Christ. Life that never
ends. Life with the eternal God. His eternal life! What a promise!!
The danger to abiding
in Christ. These things I have written
to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you (v. 26). The danger to those who are abiding in
Christ is deceit. There are always
those who are out to deceive the Christian so believers are to be on guard
against the enemies of the cross.
The power for abiding in
Christ. And as for you, the
anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for
anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is
true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him (v. 26). The Holy Spirit teaches us how to
distinguish truth from error (I John 4:2, 5-6). He may use human teachers to accomplish this (Ephesians 4:11-16). “As He has taught us” becomes the standard
for our abiding in Christ (Philippians 3:16).
The fruit of abiding in
Christ. And now, little children, abide in Him,
so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in
shame at His coming. If you know that
He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is
born of Him (vv. 28-29).
Confidence before Him at His coming. If our associations in this
life are of such a nature so to exclude Jesus, then how can we expect to be
confident before Him when He comes for His church?
Conduct that is consistent to our calling. We practice
righteousness because we know that He is righteous.
Bottom Line: Abide
essentially means: to stay, to live, to
dwell, to last out, to endure or to continue.
We might summarize the meaning of “abide” as a confident determination
to let His Word control us and to follow Him in His ways. This results in a serene, confident sense of
at-home-ness in our relationship to God and to His people.
God bless as you set your
heart and mind on abiding in Christ our Lord.
In
His love,