John 15:4-10 -- ABIDE in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it ABIDES in the vine, neither can you, unless you ABIDE in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever ABIDES in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not ABIDE in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you ABIDE in me, and my words ABIDE in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. ABIDE in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will ABIDE in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and ABIDE in his love.
Did you read all the verses above? What word kept jumping out at you? This should be easy since I capitalized and bolded the word every time it came up.
Did you say "ABIDE"?
Great job you saw what jumped off the page at me this morning too!
John uses the word "abide" here ten times. Well...John actually used the Greek word "meno" over and over here, so let's take a deeper look.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon & Strong's Definition define "meno" as:
to stay
to continue
to dwell
to endure
to be present
to remain
to stand
abide
be held
kept continually
remain as one.
to be knit together
Stop and reread that list of definitions for ABIDE.
Now, reread those verses. Go ahead. I know it hurts to slow down to reread seven verses, but it's important you connect this definition for Abide/Meno to what Jesus is telling you to abide in.
If you are a Christian, a follower of Jesus, ask yourself this simple, yet very confrontational question…
Knowing what abide means now, can you honestly, genuinely, say you abide in Jesus, in His love, in His Word, in His commandments?
It's a simple yet tough question when you choose to really face it and not duck, dodge, or ignore it. I know I've struggled with it in my life. It's far too easy to ride the lazy river of life's distractions than it is to abide in Jesus.
Will you choose to endure, remain, continue, be present, dwell, be held, be knit together, to stand with Jesus this day?
In John 15:10 Jesus says, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love."
Then I hear those verses from yesterday echoing in my heart.
1 John 2:6 -- If you claim to abide in Jesus, then you owe a debt to walk like Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2 -- Being surrounded by faithful examples (from Hebrews 11), lay aside every weight and the sin that ensnares (unbelief), and run with endurance, LOOKING to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy before him endured the cross and now sits at the right hand of God.
As a Christian, follower of Jesus, you CANNOT run the race before you without looking to and abiding in Jesus, in His love, and in His Word. So, talk with the Lord today about abiding, about meno, about where you are. Then get into His Word and hear and see what He has for you! You won't regret it.
That's all for today. Remember you are loved, you are prayed over, you are not alone.
Comments