To abide, it’s a funny term, not because of the way it sounds- I actually think it sounds quite elegant- but because we use it very little in our modern English vocabulary. However, it is important for us to understand because it is used in a very enlightening chapter of John. In this chapter, Jesus says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love “(15:9 ESV). Other Bible translations use the verbs “remain,” “continue,” and “live” instead of abide. From these examples, we see that to abide is the active, everyday living; every minute of every day, as we carry out the mundane tasks to making the huge decisions of life. As Christians, we are called to abide in God’s love, which is not just any love, but the greatest love there ever was or ever will be.
How do we abide in God’s love?
Do you ever comb your hair or look at the stars and marvel that God knows the number of each? In some things, God lets us see a glimpse of His magnificence; looking through microscopes or telescopes, for instance. Abiding in God’s love is like constantly living under the stars in awe of God’s infinite majesty; or looking through a microscope in wonder at that tiny little particle He created so complexly. Abiding in His love is the response of fully surrendering your life to God and watching Him work in it like a child watches the flight of a bird.
Yet, it is also intentional, considering Jesus’ words in John 15:10, “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.” Jesus’ life was a perfect model of obedience. He was the fulfillment of God’s law; He knew no sin. We can’t live a sinless life, but Jesus has cleansed us with His blood and become our righteousness. His Spirit was sent to strengthen us to obey (Ezekiel 36 GW, especially verses 26-27 and Ephesians 3:14-21, especially verse 16). “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13 ESV).
Pressing Into the Holy Spirit
Abiding in God’s love involves pressing into His Spirit. Many Scriptures affirm this. Love is a fruit of the Spirit (Read about what Jesus said the work of Spirit was in detail in John 15-16.). Just like real fruit takes time to grow, the fruit of the Spirit takse time to grow in our lives. It starts and continues to grow when we abide in God’s Spirit, listening for and to His voice, His guidance and instruction; seeking Him in the little and the big things. His love should change us as His Spirit manifests Himself in us (John 14:15-31 ESV and Galations 5:16-26). It should be on our minds and in our thoughts. It should control us, rather than our own desires. His love should be our reason for everything we do because all of life is all for Jesus.
God is a good, good Father. He is the Good Shepherd, who watches over His sheep that constantly stray (John 10:11-18 ESV). Abiding in God’s love may be described as living in the palm of His hands: loving Him, adoring Him, hornoring Him, and obeying Him with all that we are. We can see this kind of heart in David thoughout the Psalms. Philippians 3:19 says, “…[Unbelievers’] own emotions are their god,” but David says, “I trust you, O Lord…’You are my God’” (Psalm 31:14 GW). Times may be tough and inconvenient, but David encourages, “Be strong, all who wait with hope for the Lord, and let your heart be courageous” (24). Trusting God, especially in uncertain times, knowing that He has absolute control, is part of abiding in God’s love.
Acting Out God’s Love
Finally, God’s love leads us to love others. After Jesus tells his disciples to abide in His love, He tells them, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13 ESV). We are called to love others, not just in our thoughts, but in our actions (Ephesians 5:2). Abiding in God’s love fills us with love for others, too, whether its our sibling, friend, or enemy. So- by pressing into the Holy Spirit, we can abide in God’s love throughout our daily life. We can live in the peace and security of God’s love no matter our circumstances, and we can live out God’s love through our actions toward others. Why did Jesus instruct us to abide in God’s love? He loved us first, gave Himself up for us, and allowed us to live in daily communion with Him. For what better life could we ask! As Jesus says in John 15:11, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Works Referenced
1.7 Million+ Stunning Free Images to Use Anywhere – Pixabay. pixabay.com/.
BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 … www.biblegateway.com/.
