Abide In Him

Today's message wants us to know the meaning of the word "abide" in a deeper way as it can have significant implications in our lives. To "abide" means "to accept or bear" and "to remain and continue."

What should we accept? That we belong to God and that's a fact! This fact should be evident in ALL areas of our lives every day.

By acknowledging Jesus as the Son who came to save us all and bring us to the Father, we show that we belong to God. However, from 1 John 2:22-28, we learn that the enemy is always trying to deceive and always trying to lead us to sin so that we turn away from God. Thankfully, before Jesus left his followers, he gave all believers his Holy Spirit. By believing in Jesus, we have received His anointing, the Holy Spirit, and through it we are able to discern the truth from the lies of the antichrist. "Abide in him," so that in His coming we may be confident, not ashamed and fearful.

1 John 2: 22-28 

(Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition)

"22Who is the liar? The one who denies that Jesus is the Christ. This is the antichrist, who denies both the Father and the Son.

23The one who denies the Son is without the Father, and those who acknowledge the Son also have the Father. 

24Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, you, too, will remain in the Son and in the Father. 

25All this is the promise he himself gave us: eternal life. 

26I write this to you thinking of those who try to lead you astray. 

27You received from him an anointing, and it remains in you, so you do not need someone to teach you. His anointing teaches you all things, it speaks the truth and does not lie to you; so remain in him, and keep what he has taught you. 

28And now, my children, live in him, so that when he appears in his glory, we may be confident and not ashamed before him when he comes.

Psalm 98: 1-4 (Sing a new song to the Lord)

"1Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wonders; his right hand, his holy arm, has won victory for him. 

2The Lord has shown his salvation, revealing his justice to the nations. 

3He has not forgotten his love nor his faithfulness to Israel. To the farthest ends of the earth all have seen God's saving power. 

4All you lands, make a joyful noise to the Lord, break into song and sing praise."

God gave us His Holy Spirit to help us become a "new creature" who will "prepare or make straight the way of the Lord". Becoming a "new creature" can mean different things for different people. For me, this means: 

• Have a daily date with Him
• Pray the rosary daily
• Give tithes
• Attend mass regularly
• Practice what I learn from scriptures

John 1: 19-28 (Who is John the Baptist?)

"19This was the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to ask him, 'Who are you?'

20John recognised the truth and did not deny it. He said, 'I am not the Messiah.'

21And they asked him, 'Then who are you? Elijah?' He answered, 'I am not.' They said, 'Are you the Prophet?' And he answered, 'No.' 

22Then they said to him, 'Tell us who you are, so that we can give some answer to those who sent us. How do you see yourself?' 

23And John said, quoting the prophet Isaiah, 'I am the voice crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord.' 

24Those who had been sent were Pharisees; 25so they put a further question to John: 'Then why are you baptising if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?' 

26John answered, 'I baptise you with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; 27although he comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal'. 

28This happened in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptising."