ABIDE IN GOD’S WORD

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you ABIDE in MY WORD, you are My disciples indeed” – John 8:31

Having begun with God’s Word, we must ABIDE in HIS WORD: “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you ABIDE in MY WORD, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jh.8:31-32). The King James version says, “If you CONTINUE in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine…” Four pertinent questions arise: What does the phrase “My Word” infer? What is it to “abide in” His Word? Who are “disciples indeed”? How does abiding in His Word relate to being a disciple indeed?

The word is singular, “MY WORD,” not “My words.” The Lord Jesus was referring to the Sum of all His teaching. And He Himself is the Sum of His Word! All His words in one way or another draw our attention to Him. For examples: “I am the Bread of Life” (Jh.6:35); “I am the Light of the world” (Jh.8:12); “I am not of this world” (Jh.8:23); “I am the Good Shepherd” (Jh.10:11); “I am in the Father” (Jh.10:38); “I am the Resurrection and the Life” (Jh.11:25). All of His words taken together have one principal Focus – JESUS Himself: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (Jh.20:31).

All of Jesus’ words point to Him. Our Lord is chiefly known through His words! That’s why He not only says “ABIDE in MY WORD,” but also “ABIDE IN ME” (Jh.15:6). He is His Word! Jesus is THE WORD that was in the beginning with God, by whom all things were made, and that became flesh (Jh.1: 1-4,14). 1Samuel 3:21 says, “The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh BY the WORD of the Lord” – Himself by the Word. The same is true for Jesus – He reveals Himself to us today “BY the WORD of the Lord.” Abiding in the Word is abiding in Christ!

To be IN His Word is to be in the Vircle of the Word, where Jesus Himself is the Centre and Focus. This Domain includes: the Authenticity, Beauty, Integrity, Truth, Supreme Value, Power and Grace, Life-giving Nourishment, Refreshing, and illuminating and guiding Light of the Word. To be in His Word means being: attracted by the Beauty; persuaded by the Truth; treasuring the Integrity, Value, Power and Grace of the Word; nourished by the Bread of Life; refreshed by the Living Water; and illuminated by the Light. This is what it is to be a true disciple: To live “in” the riches of the Word of Jesus. But Jesus does not simply say that true disciples are IN His Word, but they ABIDE IN His Word!

To ABIDE is to REMAIN – to CONTINUE – in His Word – never elevating any other truth above it; fixed firmly to the Beauty, Value, Grace, and Power of His Word; never ceasing to eat and drink from the Word as the Bread of heaven and Living Water; and never ceasing to walk in the Light of the Word. This is what it means to be a Disciple Indeed – authentic, true, real, rooted, abiding, living, and residing in His Word. The world comprises not just disciples of Jesus and non-disciples, but three groups: non-disciples, unreal disciples, and real disciples! The mark of true disciples is lasting, enduring, persevering, keeping on in the Word. True Believers taste and stay! They continue in the Word!

Let’s reflect on some dimensions of God’s Word that we’ve meditated upon, namely, His Word of: Light (Gen.1:3; Psa.36:9; 43:3; 119:130; Isa.60:1-3; Eph.5:14; 2Cor.4:6); Dominion (Gen.1:26); Warning (Gen.4:7a); Instruction (Gen.6:14; 8:16); Covenant Blessings (Gen.9:1); Faith and Blessings (Gen.12:1-3); Vision (Gen.13:14); Covenant Promises (Gen.15:1; 17:2.16); Consecration (Gen.22:2); Direction (Gen.26:2);  Covenant Commitment (Gen.28:13b); Command to Return (Gen.31:3); Transformation (Gen.32:28b); and Revival (Gen.35:1a).

Having begun with God’s Word, let us abide, continue, stay, and HOLD FAST – that we may flourish, prosper, prevail, and Win by His Word!