Talk Tuesday-The Abide Series Pt.1, ABIDE IN THE WORD

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away;and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have 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.  John 15:1-10 

Throughout this passage of scripture Jesus reiterates the message, 'Abide in Me.' What exactly does it mean to 'abide' in Him? He uses the analogy of the vine and the branches to provide an example of what is required of us to be fruitful Christians. If we visualize a cluster of grapes, it is the vine that takes the nutrients from the soil and feeds it to the branches. Yet it is from the branches that the fruit grow. 

We are to 'abide' or 'remain' in Him. The word 'abide' in the original Greek, meno, means, 'abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand and tarry' (Strong's Concordance). When I think of what Jesus is asking, the following scripture immediately comes to mind,"For in Him we live and move and have our being" Acts 17:28. 

ABIDE IN THE WORD. In the first chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus is described as the 'Word.' "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," John 1:1; "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us," John 1:14. In John 15: 7-8, He tells us that if we abide in Him and His words abide in us we will, 1) receive what we ask, 2) glorify the Father, 3) bear much fruit and 4) show ourselves to be His disciples. So how do we ABIDE IN THE WORD? 

1. Meditate on His Word day and night, you will be firmly planted in His dwelling. Psalm 1:1-3 instructs us accordingly. "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." 

2. His Word is a mirror, revealing to us what needs to change and improve. Hebrews 4:12, "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." 

3. His Word is a compass, it guides our steps. Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." It shows us where we are to tread and the places we need to avoid in order to abide or remain in Him. 

What does it mean to you to ABIDE IN HIS WORD? Please click on the comments link below to share your thoughts with our BGO family. We look forward to hearing from you. And stay tuned for next week's addition, ABIDE IN THE SPIRIT.