Abiding In Christ Allows Us to Have Confidence

 "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may 

have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming."

(1 John 2:28 NKJV)

 

    If we abide in Christ we can have confidence, so what does it mean to "abide in Him"?

    Abide (əˈbīd) from the Greek word 'meno' which means to stay in a given place, state, relation; to continue, to dwell endure, be present, remain, stand.

 

    To abide in Jesus you must first be brought into Him, into His body. The only way in is through baptism (Romans 6:3-4, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Galatians 3:26-27, John 3:3-5).

 

    We then continue to abide in Christ by: 

• No longer abiding in darkness (John 12:46, Ephesians 4:17-24)
• No longer willfully sinning (1 John 3:4-6, 2 John 2)  
• Keeping His commandments (John 15:10, 1 John 2:28-29; 3:24)
• Continuing in His words/teaching (John 8:31; 15:7)
• Continuing in the Truth (1 John 2:24, 2 John 9)
• Confessing that He is the Son of God (1 John 4:15)
• Partaking of the Lord's Supper (John 6:56, Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
• Loving one another (1 John 4:12, 16)
• Walking just as He walked (1 John 2:3-6)
• Bearing fruit - only possible when we abide in Him (John 15:4-6)

 

    Are you in Christ? Are you abiding in Him?

    When we abide in Him we can have confidence in the final Day! It is worth every effort and every sacrifice - God will abundantly provide and replenish - so build your confidence by being sure that you are in Christ and that you are abiding in Him!

"Therefore, my beloved children, be steadfast, 

immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, 

knowing your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

(1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV)

You can do it! So can I!!