1 John 3:24: Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
Jesus was not talking about salvation; He was talking about fruit-bearing. The instant a sinner trusts Christ, he enters into union with Christ; but maintaining communion is a moment-by-moment responsibility. Abiding depends on our obeying His Word and keeping clean. As we have seen, when a believer walks in love, he finds it easy to obey God, and therefore he maintains a close communion with God. “If a man love Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him and make Our abode with him” (John 14:23). The Holy Spirit is mentioned by name in 1 John for the first time in 3:24. John introduced us to the Holy One (1 John 2:20) with emphasis on the Spirit’s anointing and teaching ministry. But the Holy One is also the abiding Spirit. When a believer obeys God and loves the brethren, the indwelling Holy Spirit gives him peace and confidence. The Holy Spirit abides with him forever, but when the Spirit is grieved, He withdraws His blessings. 1
Loving Him
That greatest security a believer will ever experience will be from an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. Abiding goes beyond believing. It is an abiding relationship where our communion with Jesus is blessed by our obedience to His Word. Are to trying to abide without obeying? Blessed obedience brings forth blessed assurance. Abiding is never about wrestling. It is about resting in Him.
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16
Loving Others
When I am abiding in Him, I am no longer abiding in the world. – TWEET IT
Changing Me
Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit that lives within me.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 514). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
