Key Scripture – “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples” (John 8:31, ESV).

I bet you can’t remember the last time you used the word “abide” in a conversation. Most of us don’t tell our kids, “If you abide in my house, you live by my rules!” Someone doesn’t usually say to their spouse, “I’m glad we’ve abided together all these years!”

But abide is a time-honored word I like because it makes me stop and think. I’m also drawn to it because Jesus used this word on some significant occasions with His followers. In fact, Jesus said abiding is the test of whether or not we are truly His disciples. “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.” (John 15:4-11).

The word abide can be translated “to live within,” “to dwell,” or “to take up residence.” Jesus was basically saying, “If you live in my Word,” or, “If your life is a genuine reflection of what I say, you are truly My disciples.” This means that our conversations, illustrations, and thoughts ought to be permeated with Scripture. We should live so much in God’s Word that it fills us up and overflows constantly from our lips. The beginning of knowing what God wants you to do is knowing what God wants you to know!

Conversely, if we’re not abiding in Jesus’ words—if we’re not basing everything we believe on the book God wrote—we can’t expect to know the truth or experience His freedom, and we can’t honestly claim to be His disciples. When Jesus spoke of the importance of abiding “to the Jews who had believed in him,” He made it clear that recognizing who He is isn’t quite the same thing as surrendering to Him and living for Him.

Abiding in Jesus’ words involves more than saying we believe certain things about Him and about the Bible. It’s about how our lives represent His life and His words. At the practical level, it’s about becoming increasingly familiar with God’s Word over the course of a lifetime and it’s also about our lives becoming a more and more authentic reflection of the Author.

Abiding means His words are persistently changing us. We’re discovering through practice what David described when he said, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). David is someone who knew how to abide.

There’s a lot about your life today that will be ordinary: driving, working, talking, shopping, listening, and a thousand other things. They can all be done without thinking about God and His glory. But they can also be done while abiding in Jesus’ words, letting His presence and instruction guide your life. The choice you make is an indicator of whether or not you are really one of His disciples.

During a typical day, when do you most sense that you are abiding in Jesus’ words? When is abiding hardest? You can change that by praying and telling God that you want Jesus’ presence and instruction to guide all areas of your life, especially in that specific area where abiding is so hard for you.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, it’s painfully obvious to me how easily I can go about my daily routine without thinking of You. I don’t want to live that way. I want to walk with You and abide in Jesus’ Words 24 hours a day even days a week. I want my life to be a disciple’s life. Yet it’s so easy to get sidetracked by my failures and to focus on them, rather than rest in the truth that You, Jesus, the Son of the Lord God Almighty, want to abide in me and live Your life through mine. Please help me to remember today that You long to abide in me in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.