Abiding

Here in the upper room — after their last supper together, Jesus and His disciples ( after Judas left with his agenda) drew together as a family. Our Lord knowing the road ahead of Him was giving the disciples a speech that loved ones make when they know their time is short--parting words of love, comfort and wisdom. But the disciples could not have predicted what was ahead of them, and Jesus knew it - His words tonight would carry greater weight later after His death, resurrection and ascension back to the Father.
Here in John 14, 15 & 16 Jesus sums up all they(and we) needed to know to "remain in Him", just as He remained in the Father.
Some translations-use the word abide, which is a more intimate definition of connecting. Abiding in Jesus Christ means (1) believing that He is God's Son (1John 4:15-All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God); (2) receiving Him as Savior and Lord (John 1:12-But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God); (3) doing what God says (1 John 3:24-Those who obey God's commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us); (4) continuing to believe the gospel (1John 2:24-So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father) and relating in love to the community of believers, Christ's body (John 15:12-This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.)

People often try to be good, honest and do what is right. But Jesus says that the only way to live a truly good life is to stay close to Him like a branch attached to a vine. Too often I have learned, that apart from Christ, I quickly fall, fail and my efforts are unfruitful. As I intertwine all of my life into Christ, He provides me immense stability allowing me to walk through adversity without sinking into debilitating lows and manage prosperity without moving to deceptive highs.
It is that 'abiding in Him' - that keeps me level-headed.

Created almost 2 years ago