Abiding means remaining in truth. Remaining in HIM is a way of life. We are not to be behind or in front of but IN HIM. Just saying that is like a drop the mic moment. It is so true and it is the way we are meant to live. Fully invested in remaining in HIM. What does that look like and what does that even mean? Let's see what this week's study has in store.
When we go to put this into practical application for our lives it may be a bit difficult to even picture or put a finger on what remaining is because it is so opposite of how we live our lives most of the time. Always on the go from one place to another for this and that. Some of us moving frequently to different houses or even different cities. We like to explore and make an adventure out of this life we live. Sometimes we don't even really know what or where to call home because our time is so divided and frantic. Time and life pushes us further forward but Jesus is urging us just to stay a while.
A great way to get an up close look at this concept is to go back to Mary Magdalene. The writer of this bible study says that Mary Magdalene is her favorite remain-er of the bible. Much like the other Mary she clings tight to Jesus and his words. She continually goes after the Lord and holds on to his promise no matter what the situation looks like.
Open your bible to John 20. Read verse 1 and then 11-16 and answer a few questions.
When does this story take place and what was her reaction when she cannot find Jesus?
I got a sense of her being panicked and frantic wouldn't you say with all the weeping going on. I almost can feel for her that pit in her stomach that must have been there just not knowing where Jesus was. HE was genuinely her home base in all the craziness of her life. She remained in him so well that when he wasn't in her line of vision that she panicked. She felt like she wasn't even sure where to go next. She remained in HIM time after time even when things around her changed.
The writer of the study says this:
I wonder if Mary Magdalene would correct me if she knew how often I misread that famous "abide" passage in John 15 as delivering a mandate to fruitfulness, a command to produce. Because if I look at the passage more closely, I see the true command is to remain.
Read John 15:4
The point the author is trying to drive home is that you cannot do anything apart from HIM. When you remain steady in the word and promise for your life in all circumstances you will be fruitful. You will naturally grow and fruit will naturally be produced as a by product of you remaining.
The study provides the following verses below for you to read and copy down. Taking special note of the instructions to stay close to Jesus and what it teaches us about what it looks like to remain.
John 8:31
John 10:27
John 13:35
Colossians 3:1-2
Some of these verses I would read in a few different translations to help you sort it out as far as what you put down for these answers for yourself.
The main point of this week is this. Do WE feel so much like Jesus is our home that when we stray away that we do not know what to do? Or are we just walking around adding in a little here and there but for the most part thinking we have got this whole thing figured out and not even realizing when we are far from home. What are we remaining in? If it's not Jesus then chances are the fruit we are producing is the wrong kind or short lived. Not fruit that will live on forever in the generations to come. Mary Magdalene sought Jesus because HE was her home. Many times when we think of home it is a way of defining who we are and where we came from. It gives other things in our lives meaning and not the other way around.
Jesus Christ is and should be our home in this crazy busy world and in the words of bible is one place we can surely encounter HIM. Remaining in truth does not mean an occasional visit or a bible on a shelf or even 10 bibles on a shelf. IF you are like us we have several around but are we using them? It is life well lived when you return every day to the words that give you life, hope, encouragement, truth that we need to hear. When we faithfully return it helps us to remain in HIS presence.
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