“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.” (1 John 2:28)

This word “abiding” comes from the Greek (Just like all of the New Testament!) word meno, which is neither a sophisticated word nor a subtle word.  It is used many times in the New Testament.  Why is that?  Why is the word used so much in the New Testament?  Hopefully the meaning of the word will shed some light on this.  Abiding means to “stay” or “remain.”  But it also has a time dependency associated with it.  It is not a temporal, but rather a consistent, permanent, or I would go so far as to say eternal condition.

First, applicable to not just Christian leaders, but Christians in general, as in 1 John 2:28, the Christian Leader is expected to “stay” or abide in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  Not a temporary relationship with the Lord after you come to know Him, but rather a permanent or staying kind of relationship. Consider the marriage vows we take. It is our intent that when we get married, that the relationship would be permanent, in fact we say in that vow “till death do us part.”  The relation that the Church, the Bride of Christ, has with Christ is also permanent. So, therefore, it is expected that the relationship that the believer has with the Lord is implying both a permanent and a normal relationship.

Second, we are to abide in Christ so completely that we would be like a branch growing out of the vine thus making “fruit” possible.  (John 15:4-5) Jesus tells us that He is the vine and we are the branch.  We are only going to bear fruit if we receive the power from Him.  We will not bear lasting fruit of our own strength.

Third, we are to continue in His Word so thoroughly that our prayers will be in synchronization with His Will (John 15:7).  Jesus tells us that if we abide in Him and His Words are in us, we will ask, and it will be done.  But note the condition that is put one this.  1) We have to abide in Him and 2) His Words have to be in us.  So many times people ask, well I asked God to do this, and it was not done.  My response to this is 1) Are you abiding in Him and 2) Are His words in you?  If the answer is yes to both and you are being honest, then God will answer in His time. If the answer is no, then it will not be granted.  God is not our sugar daddy, or ATM, someone to go to when it is convenient for us to get what we selfishly desire. Additionally, our behavior will be in synchronization with His commandments (1 John 3:24) through the Holy Spirit which indwells us.

So what are outcomes of this Indwelling, staying, or remaining?

First, the steadfast “dwelling” in Christ promises to produce a confidence in our eternal relationship. If we are confident about where we are going when we leave this world, our communication will reflect that.  We will speak freely about the One who saved us and will one day come again for us.  We will not have a reservedness in our speaking to others about the Lord.  It will be such a burning.  Consider Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:29) and the disciples received boldness to speak the Word of God (Acts 4:31).  Our plainness of speech (2 Corinthians 3:12) in witnessing sets the stage for our “boldness in the day of judgment” (1 John 4:17)

Second, the lifestyle we live will be reflective of that, and while we live on earth, our relationship is sanctified in Christ, and is a relationship we will enjoy for eternity.

Lastly, we are reminded by the writer of Hebrews “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.  For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”  (Hebrews 10:35-36)

In closing how about you?  Christian Leader, are you abiding in the Lord?  Are you bearing fruit for the kingdom?  No better time to get started than now, but only with the help of the Holy Spirit

Ref:  “Days of Praise” Sept-Nov 2013; Institute for Creation Research.

Born in Toledo, Ohio in 1964. Lynn Petersen graduated in 1986 from the United States Naval Academy and commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. I Married the dream and love of my life, Alena, in 1987. Became the daddy of two great children in 1988 and in 1990. In April of 1990, my wife's uncle, a "Completed Jew" shared the Gospel of Christ with me, and I trusted in the blood atoning work of Jesus, and asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins and save me. In July 1991, Alena and I were baptized. Fast forward to 2012, having served as a church deacon, Sunday School teacher, and congregational song leader, we started ALL four HIM, a Southern Gospel Quartet. Lynn sings bass for the quartet and also plays the clarinet. It is a joy to sing unto the Lord to glorify HIM, and to encourage others with the Gospel of Christ.

My desire is to reach as many men, women, boys, and girls with the Gospel of Christ in message and in music so that they, like I have, can experience the rich joy and peace that passes all worldly understanding; that joy that is only provided by faith in Christ.

My life verse is Philippians 4:13. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Prov 3:5,6, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalms 41, Ephesians 2:8,9 and John 14:6, among others, are all verses that strengthen and encourage me.