John 15:4 (NKJV) 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
Abide in Me and I in you.
How many times have we read this and we just blew right by that first sentence and kept going without giving it a second thought?
That’s not good!
That first sentence is a major component of our walk with God. In fact, the word “abide” actually has a very deep meaning in this verse.
So, let’s take a look.
Abide: continue, stay, remain, persist, hold on.
Now look at how it’s used in this verse.
Jesus said that if we abide in Him, He will abide in us.
There are two implications here.
Most of us will instinctively think of it as meaning that we need to stay close to Him or stick by Him. And this is true. When we abide (stick with, stay close to) Him, He will stick with us.
Maybe even more important, though, is this; if we are truly a believer (a follower of Christ), if we have embraced Him (put our faith in Him) and our heart has truly changed, (which it should do if our faith in Him is genuine) we will not depart from Him.
If we believe, we will abide (stick with, stay close to). If we do not believe, we will not abide.
This isn’t very often taught. Mostly because it is overlooked, as I mentioned at the beginning of this devotional. But sometimes it isn’t taught because it is a hard teaching; one that’s not easy to speak nor easy to hear and receive.
But truth is truth. And truth needs to be spoken, even when it is hard to swallow. Truth, after all, will set us free if we embrace it.
John 8:32 (NKJV) 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808
401-315-0902
If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!
To have the Bible Verse of The Day delivered to your inbox each day, please Click Here and then enter your email address in the box near the upper left corner of the page.
Please consider making a Donation.
Get our mobile app here:
Android: http://goo.gl/oQ6qa7
Apple: http://apple.co/2lZdgYy
No comment yet, add your voice below!