This week we will look at the word “abide”. Here’s our Freedom theme verse:
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 8:31-32 ESV
Now let’s look at some definitions while we explore what it means to abide.
Abide
ABI’DE, v. i. pert. and part. abode.
abada, to be, or exist, to continue; W. bod, to be; to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely. Class Bd. No 7.]
- To rest, or dwell. Gen 29:19.
- To tarry or stay for a short time. Gen 24:55.
- To continue permanently or in the same state; to be firm and immovable. Psa 119:90.
- To remain, to continue. Acts 27:31. Eccl 8:15.
ABI’DE, v.t.
1. To wait for; to be prepared for; to await.
Bonds and afflictions abide me. Acts 20:23.
[For is here understood.]
2. To endure or sustain.
To abide the indignation of the Lord. Joel 10.
3. To bear or endure; to bear patiently. “I cannot abide his impertinence.”
…In general, abide by signifies to adhere to, maintain defend, or stand to, as to abide by a promise, or by a friend; or to suffer the consequences, as to abide by the event, that is, to be fixed or permanent in a particular condition..
~Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
By this definition from Websters 1828 Dictionary, we get a clarification of what Jesus meant. In the Western world, when we abide it is related to how and/or where we live. However, in the Western world, living is something that we do almost unintentionally. The term “hang loose” is what many strive for. They are afraid of looking like they “meant to” do something because of the ridicule that comes if they are not successful at it.
Jesus requires much more than a “hang loose” attitude toward His word. The Greek word translated “abide” is a verb that indicates a lot more than a “loose” relationship with God’s word.
G3306
μένω
menō
Thayer Definition:
1) to remain, abide
1a) in reference to place
1) to sojourn, tarry
2) not to depart
2a) to continue to be present
2b) to be held, kept, continually
1b) in reference to time
1) to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure
1a) of persons, to survive, live
1c) in reference to state or condition
1) to remain as one, not to become another or different
2) to wait for, await one
Part of Speech: verb
Now, let’s put all the parts into our picture. To be disciples of Jesus that know and are set free by the truth, we need to abide in His word. That means we need to tarry in it, not to depart from it, but to continue to be present in it. His words need to be held on to and kept, continually. Our commitment to His word should not perish, but it needs to last and endure. Our focus should not waiver.
Imagine what the church would look like if we were to adhere to, maintain and properly defend His words? What if we were fixed on it in such a way that it became a permanent part of our lives?
Looking at this, is it any wonder that there are so many of us that are not walking in freedom?
Know truth, Know freedom….
No truth, no freedom!
~pk
