A.N.T.H.R.O.P.O.L.O.G.Y. Series 01 - "Abide"
Welcome to a new series where I explain what Anthropology in Christ means to me through the acronym A.N.T.H.R.O.P.O.L.O.G.Y. Each week we will examine an interesting truth from the Scriptures and how to practically apply that truth to our everyday lives. Then, for the next seven days, we’ll examine the word through the written word, poetry, song, media, and especially how each is spoken of in the Scriptures. Today we will start with the letter “A,” which we’ll use for the word “Abide.”
Abide
What does it mean to abide in Christ?
We are first introduced to this notion of abiding in Christ when Jesus speaks with the disciples on the way to pray in the garden of Gethsemane (John 15:5-7). Jesus uses a word picture to describe what it means to remain in or abide in Him.
"'I Am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in Me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in Me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.'" John 15:5-8 (NIV)
The implications of abiding go far beyond mere belief; it indicates that Jesus expected His followers (i.e., if they were serious about their relationship with Him, cultivating that relationship with Him) to actively participate in their own spiritual journey by remaining constant–constant in abiding in Him.
The word abide used in John 15:5-8 is the Greek verb menó (μένων), which means to stay, endure, or stand (Strong's, #3306).
Abide means:
to stay – which translates into remaining faithful to your commitment to Christ, living for Him (2 Cor. 5:15), or keeping your promises to God, for example.
to endure – The Scriptures speak about the attribute of love as enduring all things (1 Cor. 13:7), which means it perseveres and does not give up, even when life gets hard.
to stand – For example, God gives us the ability to stand strong in our faith, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand,” (Eph. 6:13, NIV).
If we truly want to abide in Christ, as He invites us to in the Scriptures, we have (through Christ) full access to do so. This is great news! This means that abiding is not just a notion to think about, a positive thought, or an impossible goal to reach, but a reality to enjoy, a conscious awareness of the Lord’s Presence to cultivate, and a part of this race we call life that will help us reach the finish line when time is over.
Closing thought...
May we abide in Christ today and every day, knowing that it is God’s will for us to abide in Him and He has empowered us by and through His Holy Spirit to do so (cf. John 16:13).
A friend shared this song with me, and I think it fits perfectly into what it means to actively “Abide” in Christ.🌻
Song: Abide by Aaron Williams
Lyrics:
For my waking breath for my daily bread
I depend on You, I depend on You
For the sun to rise for my sleep at night
I depend on You, I depend on You
You're the way the truth and the life
You're the well that never runs dry
I'm the branch and You are the vine
Draw me close and teach me to abide
Where the Spirit leads as I'm following
I depend on You, I depend on You
For the victories still in front of me
I depend on You, I depend on You
You're the way the truth and the life
You're the well that never runs dry
I'm the branch and You are the vine
Draw me close and teach me to abide
Be my strength my song in the night
Be my all my treasure my prize
I am Yours forever Your mine
Draw me close and teach me to abide
When I pass through death as I enter rest
I depend on You, I depend on You
For eternal life to be raised with Christ
I depend on You, I depend on You
You're the way the truth and the life
You're the well that never runs dry
I'm the branch and You are the vine
Draw me close and teach me to abide
Be my strength my song in the night
Be my all my treasure my prize
I am Yours forever Your mine
Draw me close and teach me to abide
Here I am Lord
Would you teach me to abide
Teach me Would you teach me
I depend on You, I depend on You
Yes, I depend on You, I depend on You
Oh, oh I depend on You, Yes, I depend on You
I depend on You, I depend on You