Do you Abide?

Abide means to stay in, to remain. This ministry gets its name, Meno, from the Biblical Greek word for abide.

Why is it important to abide?

John 8:31-32

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 15:1-11

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

How can you tell if you abide?

John 15:10

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

Jesus said that if you keep His commandments you will abide in His love. Is there any sin in your life that you allow yourself to keep doing, even though you know God’s word says it is wrong? Maybe it is pride, unforgiveness, or lying when it is convenient. Maybe it is engaging in sexual sin like sex outside of marriage or adultery.

Consider what Jesus says about obeying His commandments:

John 14:15

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 14:21-24

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.

Is there sin that you are allowing to continue in your life?

  • If yes- keeping sin in your life is a sign that you love that sin more than you love God. Have you noticed a difference in your spiritual life when you practice that sin? Being tempted is not a sin, but acting on temptation is. Every time we face temptation, we have a choice. We can choose sin or we can choose God. Sin usually feels good in the short term, but God’s way is always best.

    • What sin are you struggling with?

      • What are you choosing to do about your sin?

      • Repent (decide to stop) and ask for God’s forgiveness today?

      • Continue in my sin

The Bible teaches that we will all face God and give an account for our life. Sin separates us from God, so when God asks us about our sin it will not be acceptable to say, “Everyone else was doing it.” Consider again John 14:24 “Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.” Choosing to sin may be a sign that you do not love Jesus. It could mean that even if you go to church or pray your heart does not yet belong to God. That would mean that you are not a Christian. If you are not sure of where you stand with God, please pray and ask Him to show you. You can also visit the Gospel section of this site to learn more.

  • If no - go to next question

Do you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you?

1 John 4:13-15

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

The Bible teaches that we can know that we abide in God if we have the Holy Spirit. Over time the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the spirit in our lives. We show godly love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We won’t display this fruit perfectly, but over time those around us should be able to see a change in us. Do you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you?

  • If yes - thank God for this wonderful gift

  • If no - In order to truly understand the Bible, you need the Holy Spirit living inside of you and interpreting for you. Please visit The Gospel section of this website to learn more.

  • If I don’t know - In order to truly understand the Bible, you need the Holy Spirit living inside of you and interpreting for you. Please visit The Gospel section of this website to learn more.