Thoughts from The Bible

Thoughts from the Bible

Thursday, 14 March 2024 06:43

The Promise of Life Everlasting
by Sarah Wootten Corinth Missionary Baptist Church

“Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life,” (1 John 2:24-25, ESV).
The Greek word for “abide” appears in 18 different verses in 1 John. We’ve only made it through six of those verses. I was curious about the English definition of the word, so I turned to Google. I was so disappointed with the results. The first definition was to act in conformity with a decision or rule. The second was about tolerating someone or something. I read both of these definitions with negative connotations.

This is not what John means when he says that we are to abide in Christ. The old English definition more closely aligns with what John is talking about, which is to dwell.
In the Greek, the word abide means to remain. This can be practical, like staying or remaining in a city. Or it can be spiritual. In the Gospel of John, the concept of abiding is discussed many times. The picture isn’t one of tolerance or half-hearted obligation. What’s described is a complete dependence upon Christ for everything (John 15:4-6), an obedience and trust in His word (John 15:7), and a love-filled relationship (John 15:9). For John, abiding describes believers remaining in the love and word of Christ, and not wavering when the world presents its enticing pleasures and teachings.

For the past few weeks, Cody wrote about the false teachers who were spreading false doctrines and causing many to disregard the truth. They were teaching that Jesus wasn’t the Savior (1 John 2:22). John was urging the true Christians to not believe these teachers. Was John jealous that the people would listen to other preachers? Why was he so concerned about this?
It’s because the stakes were too high. Go back to the start of this article and read the passage. God has promised eternal life to those who abide in the Son. And if someone believes that Jesus was a good role model, but not God, then he actually isn’t abiding in the Son or in God’s word. He is abiding in his own ideas and trusting in his own ways. John urgently warns his readers to not be deceived and attempt to change the gospel. They should stay firm in the gospel which they have heard and abide in Christ. In doing so, they will enjoy eternal life with the Son.

For the one who abides in Jesus, eternity will be our great joy. Believers long for the day when our faith is made sight and all the promises that we hold dear are finally and fully realized. There will be no tears of sorrow, sin, death, or shame. All that we do will glorify God. We’ll know of His grace and love like we have never known before. God will dwell with us, and us with Him, in the new heavens and the new earth that is not marred by sin. We will know God’s grace and love like we have never known it before.
But for the one who doesn’t abide in the Son, an eternal life of joy doesn’t await him. Instead, John says, “whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God [abides] on him,” (John 3:36, ESV).

Let me encourage you to not be deceived. Search the Bible and know who Jesus Christ is. Learn what it means to follow Christ – to trust Him and to obey Him. Ask the Lord to help you understand the truth and not be deceived. We are all sinners, completely unable to save ourselves from God’s wrath. But for those who abide in Him, no wrath remains. We await a joyful eternal life.