We read the Bible, go to church. Yet many of us, as Christians may not know how to abide in Jesus Christ? Forget that, many Christians may not know, why we should greatly desire to abide in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Without doubt this should be an earnest desire, a KPI we aim to improve every year of our life on earth. The joy and peace we get through this – is more precious than silver or gold we can ever buy or own.
Yes, the benefits are eternal, starting from our life on earth today. Here are a few questions on abiding in Christ we discuss in this article.
Read them one by one and click on the topic as your interest leads you.
Q1) What is the meaning of abiding in Christ? How to abide in Christ?
Q2) What are the key scripture verses on Christ abiding in you?
Q3) How to access your progress on Christ abiding in you?
Q4) Are there examples of abiding in Christ?
Q1) What is the meaning of abiding in Christ? How to abide in Christ?
A1) Years ago, I did not even know what this question meant. I thought it was a concept, it was a distant spiritual state. I thought only a very holy person could ever abide in Christ. But a few years later, I can say, this is very much available for each one of us. Its greatly desirable and we should apprehend it. After we start to enjoy a life abiding in Christ, we would share this amazing truth and process with our near and dear so that, they too enjoy this.
First let us explore the dictionary meaning. Abiding is continuing for a long time : not changing. We can say for instance use it in a sentence thus: Elizabeth has an abiding [=lasting] love of paintings.
3 step process to knowing and abiding in Christ Jesus
step 1) Knowing Christ in the Bible
From the dictionary meaning, we understand that abiding in Christ should mean an on going and continued passion for Christ. Just like an abiding love for paintings would mean availing every opportunity to attend painting exhibitions, observing nature and surroundings for inspiration, spending time and money to improve painting skills, learning to critique & appreciate paintings, meeting those interested in paintings etc.. Even when not painting, when awake and asleep, you may consider and explore various matters related to painting. Not only would you read about paintings, you may hear and watch videos about paintings, read and understand the history of paintings, read about the leading painters in the genre you may like, you may even travel, visit galleries just to quell your hunger and thirst for paintings.
Thus the journey to abiding starts with a desire to know more about Jesus Christ, acquainting more with Jesus, his Words. You would read the Bible more often as you know it has the Words of Jesus and about Him. As you read the Bible, you will get to know what Jesus stands for and likes and what HE dislikes. Simply put a passion for Jesus would obviously lead us to read the Bible daily and often.
So how would you steward the passion for Jesus? How would you read the Bible, because you know that the Bible is a huge book made of the new and the old testament?
Here is how you can navigate across reading a big book like the Bible.
- Priority 1) Reading the 4 books of the Gospels in the Bible, i.e. Gospels according to Mathew, Mark, Luke and John respectively.
- Priority 2) Reading the other books of the New Testament after having gone through the Gospels a few times.
- Priority 3) The old testament book of Prophet Isaiah.
- Priority 4) Only there after reading the other books of the Old Testament
As we read the priority 1 Books, we get to progress on knowing Christ, His thinking. As we read earnestly and repeatedly, we get to understand and retain what He spoke, retain His words. Eventually, we start to have the thinking of Jesus and thus abide in Christ Jesus.
Only the blind and deaf miss out in knowing the love, brilliance and holiness of Jesus. The blind and the deaf are those who say they can see and hear, yet as they are in reality blind, they are blind and deaf to the deeper spiritual matters.
I cannot control the urge to share the brilliance of Jesus. How he summarized the law and prophets. In an amazing way, he summed up the 600+ laws in the old testament and prophets into just two laws. Has anything like this been ever done before? He simplified it all for us. The beauty and brilliance of this perspective and clear understanding of Jesus cannot be ever described.
Back to the books in the Bible, start to read the 4 books of the Gospel aloud – strongly recommended. This starts your journey. As you read the priority 1 books, you may perhaps want to read the Gospel according to John a couple of times, for developing a better understanding and deeper abiding in Christ Jesus.
step 2) Seek the Holy Spirit to highlight specific verses
As you read the portions of the Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to highlight specific verses so that you could think about the specific verses – by writing them down in a notebook. You will be amazed, How the Holy Spirit highlights verses which are most relevant to the condition of your heart. Remember, He (the Holy Spirit) is the most skilled heart surgeon and does not require anesthesia, nor do you require to go to the operation theater!
When specific verses are highlighted, value them, write them in a note book with dates – this will ensure you have well documented in one of the best process you would discover to guide yourselves and help others as well.
Later you may write these on a piece of paper or on your mobile, so you can carry it and refer conveniently by securely storing them in your wallet or pocket for easy reference.
Here is what Jesus says about the Holy Spirit.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (John 16:7-8 NKJV)
step 3) Think and ponder on the specific verses
Once the verses the holy Spirit quickens you are known, you should desire to think on the verse,
through the day and night,
when driving,
when you are remain still,
when you are on the treadmill,
when you wash vessels,
when you water plants,
in between tasks and jobs as you transition activities.
We have no excuse of lack of time to think about verses in our busy routine. Most certainly, when we try, we would identify pockets of time to remember the verse. The Holy Spirit will help you, apply the verse to shape and change your behavior, habits and your life in general. The person of the Holy Spirit, changes us by using the verse as a surgeon’s knife to cut and prune our heart.
As we keep writing the highlighted verse in the notebook regularly, read them and think about them through the day, the process of our change starts. Week on week the Holy Spirit will lead us to identify aspects, natures that need improvement, as part of the process.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV)
Yes, as this verse says the verses which the Holy Spirit highlights would change the way we think, act and live – as we remember the verses through the day and night, we are changed and shaped, we start to truly abide in Christ Jesus.
To be continued, bookmark this page and check in 2 days.
