A Paper from 2007
Good morning, it is very early and most of you are enjoying a good night of rest, I hope. But that is not the case with me, so I am going to let you in on a big word that has been on my mind for some time.
The word is “ABIDE”; now I know it does not seem to be that large of a word, it is only five letters, but do you know what it means? My friend Webster; defines the word (“abide” as; to stand fast; remain; and go on being. And the word “abiding” is defined as; continuing without change; enduring; and lasting.)
Why do I believe it to be such a “big” word? Because as I look around it seems that so little in my world is standing fast, or continuing without change. It seems as if the things we valued, not that long ago, do not carry the same worth. Big things like, the love of family, the love of truth, honesty, and doing what you said, even the love of God and country.
I have come to this conclusion, is it because we, and I mean you and me are no longer abiding by the truth? We talk about truth, but where is the source of this truth? Is it from TV, Fox and Friends, Rush, or some other talk show, where is the source of your truth? Many years ago, Pilate asked this question of Jesus, “What is truth,” it was in reply to a statement Jesus had made; “You say that I am a king. For this purpose, I was born and for this purpose, I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Is Jesus the truth? Can I abide by this truth? Jesus did not leave any wiggle room, He is God or he is a liar, or worse a lunatic. I must confess that I believe He is God and that He is the only way to the Father and I must “abide” only in Him. After making that statement, I need to once more look at that very large word, “abide”. I must stand fast, I must remain in the only source of truth and I believe that is the God man, Jesus Christ.
In the book of John, we find in the fifth chapter that the Jews were seeking to kill Jesus because He was calling God his own Father, making Himself equal with God. Later in this same chapter, Jesus replies in this way; “and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scripture because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” It sure reads as if this man Jesus has the ability to give life, to those who come to Him.
Often, I ask this question; “But How”, how can I abide, or stand fast? I have established that the Bible is a great starting place. I like to think of it as the “manufacturers handbook on living life on planet earth”, it is a great place to look for answers. In John 8:31, Jesus is talking to Jews who had believed in Him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Once more the big word abide comes into play, those who stand fast in Christ. That is becoming more unpopular in our world, and it is coming to a place where those who abide in Christ will or may already be paying a price for abiding in the Truth.
Jesus often makes a statement that seems strange to those who are not of the faith. Statements like, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” Jesus did not mean He was a vine but was using a word picture that we could understand. In John 15 we see this statement; “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. 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.” I believe the great news is that I am not the only one who is abiding. Jesus is abiding in me.
Jesus goes on in verse 7 of chapter 15 to say; “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” It’s all about “standing fast,” not listening to the latest fables that Hollywood or our United States Congress has come up with. It is also not a name it and claim it gospel, Jesus makes it clear that when we abide in Him and His word abides in us, we will have new desires, that line up with His word.
Often it would seem that we should not have read the next verse, often it is the next verse that we are not ready to obey (continuing without change or standing fast in), John 15:9 is one of those verses. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 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 goes on to state that he has done this so that our joy may be full. How are you at keeping rules or commandments, are you like me often you try it your way? But have you thought that keeping commandments brings about joy in your life, and removes the fear of punishment?
One of the last verses on abiding or standing fast in Christ that I looked at was John 15:16. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” Jesus, God, chose you and me and appointed us that we would bear fruit and that that fruit should abide. Wow, and I mean Wow, we can go into the presence of the Father.
What a word, and yes, Rush is right in this one area, “Words mean things”. To abide: Webster; defines the word (“abide” as; standing fast; remaining; going on being. And the word “abiding” is defined as; continuing without change; enduring; and lasting.) I hope that when you hear the word “abide” you will think of this letter. Often, I wish we could turn the clock back to where we as a people abide in something, that we stand fast in our beliefs at any cost.
Note: Rush Hudson Limbaugh left planet Earth in 2021, and understands Truthfully.
You’re Friend,
Bob
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