What does it mean to “Abide in Christ?”
What does the word “abide” mean anyway? And how do we do “abide” living thousands of years after Jesus in a world and culture so very different than when his sandals walked in the dust of ancient Israel?
Some of you might be thinking, “But Andy, I need a reading plan that will help me with all my many issues and problems. I need a plan on being stronger or healed or prosperous. But here’s the thing. . . if we are healed, if we are strong, or if we have paid off our credit cards and are mortgage free and the cars are paid for, if all of that is good in our life . . . if we don’t know what it means to “abide in Christ” we are bankrupt.
Because Christ said,
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in me and My words abide in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so that you will be my disciples” (John 15:5-8 NKJV).
Bearing fruit, aka making a difference on this planet, is only possible when we “abide” with Jesus. All other work, all dreams and goals, are dead wood if they are not connected to the life source. Dead wood. That’s the kind of wood people use to make a fire and roast marshmallows for smores. (I’ve learned that on our camping trips.)
So, what does it mean to “abide”? It seems to be pretty important, right?
I could give you our English definition, but first, let’s look at the Greek word that has been translated.
Meno: to remain, abide, dwell. Intransitively to remain, dwell. Used figuratively to remain, endure, last, persevere, stand firm, remain alive, transitively. . . to wait for . . . be patient.
So, to meno in Christ means to live in Him or to persevere, or stand firm, or wait for . . . .be patient.
How do we live in Christ?
How do we persevere?
Or stand firm?
Or wait patiently for Him?
Let’s study seven scriptures that teach about abiding in Jesus and all that it encompasses.
Sneak Peek:
1 John 2:6: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
John 15:7: If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
1 John 2:27: As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
2 Cor. 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
Romans 8:1: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
John 14:7: f you really know me, you will know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
1 John 3:24: The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
Different Ways to Use this Plan
- Print off this post to have the reading list. (The print icon is with the sharing buttons at the top of the post.)
- You can join me Monday -Friday at 8:20 AM ET on my Facebook page for my Daily Broadcast to unpack the “bite” with a bunch of other believers who love to dig into the Word of God. Or you can watch it later on my You Tube channel. I will definitely be sharing Monday through Wednesday this week, but Thursday and Friday may be iffy. Mike and I are beginning an adventure across the country with our camper to visit friends and family. I will broadcast if I can! Stay tuned to see portions of our beautiful country for the next 2 weeks!
- Click here to download a free Printable of the reading plan with the scriptures typed out and extra questions and prompts to deepen your time with God each day.
- Or you can simply take a screen shot of the Bite of Bread meme.
- Also, follow me on Instagram to see the scripture image for the day.
I pray this reading plan will draw you closer to Jesus. I pray it draws me closer to Him! I want to live in Him, wait on Him, stand firm in my faith, dauntless, unwavering, so sure of my place in Him that I walk with confident joy all. the. time.
Christ said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)
I want complete joy.
How about you?
How can I pray for you this week, or what’s on your mind concerning “abiding”? I’d love to hear what God is saying to you during your quiet time with Him using the printable.
Leave a comment!
Living FULLY!
