John 8:31–33 (NKJV) — 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him,
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Abiding in Christ. Jesus says, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples
indeed.” The question professing Christians must ask themselves is, “Do I
abide in Jesus?” and along with that, “Does Jesus abide in me.” The word
“abide” is an important word.
There are two conditions for being delivered from sin: The first is belief. The
second is continuing or “abiding” in Christ. The Word of Christ must dwell in
the life of the one who believes. There are many shallow professions of faith
in Christ. They are mere words spoken but not really believed. The one who
really believes will continue in the Lord’s Word. It is easy to say, “I believe in
Christ.” It is difficult for one to make this profession and then live it out.
Many profess Christ out of a fear of going to hell. The belief has nothing to
do with a relationship with Jesus.
Paul writes to Timothy, “1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that
is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among
many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach
others also. (2 Timothy 2:1–2)
Living the Christian life cannot be accomplished outside of God living in us.
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us
are tiny matters to what lies within us.” What lies within the true believer in
Christ is the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13 “I
can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” How could Paul write
this? He knew his life was not based on who he was but knowing it was
“Christ living in him. (Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is
no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in
the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself
for me.)
Dale Carnegie wrote, “Most of the important things in the world have been
accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be
no hope at all.”
I have always loved, and even misquoted Churchill’s famous quote. I believe
it is true for the believer in Christ, even in my many misquotes. “This is the
lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing,
great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor
and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently
overwhelming might of the enemy.” We as followers of Christ must stand and
stand firm on the Word of God. We must allow the Word of Christ “Abide in
us.” And stand firm in the Word of God.