Read 1 John 3:4-24. Do you see what it says about abiding? Look at verse 6 and see the standard to which we are held: “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not.” Now look down at verse 24. It says, “he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”

The Bible is clear about what it means for me to abide in Him, and have Him abiding in me. But the Bible is equally clear that I am not capable, on my own power of being an “abider”. The key to abiding in Him and having Him abide in you is in yielding to Christ in repentance and faith and allowing Him to do the work in you. Indeed the marks of an abider are not a formula for becoming perfect, but a test that proves what you are.

An Abider Lives in Righteousness
The first mark of an abider is that he lives in righteousness. Verse 6 declares boldly that “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not.” Then verse 9 explains that “he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” There is no mistaking the biblical fact that “he that doeth righteousness is righteous” (verse. 7). One who abides in Christ keeps His commandments (verses 22 & 24). The question is not, are you sinlessly perfect, the question is, are you clothed with the righteousness of Christ. If you are a born again child of God, it will show in your lifestyle. Your way of life will make you look more like Him than you. But in those moments when you look more like you, and the YOU in you inevitably derails your course, if you are an abider course corrections come quickly.

An Abider Loves as God Loves .
Do you Love your “brother” (verse 10)? One of the things that distinguishes those who abide in Christ from those who do not is that abiders “Love one another” (verse 11 & 23). Believers “love the brethren” (vs. 14). They can’t get enough of each other and it shows. They love being at church and in “fellowship” with one another, and they thrive on giving of themselves for each other. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (verse 16). Not in word or tongue, “but in deed and in truth” (verses 17-19). If you are a born again child of God it will show, not only in your lifestyle, but in your love for your fellow believers, and also in your love for others in general.

An Abider is Led by the Spirit
What is it that proves a man or woman is a Christian? What is that inner fire that burns within them and creates the conditions that make it possible for that individual to resist the world, the flesh and the devil, and to live a life that is righteous before God and shows genuine love for others? “We know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us” (verse 24). I am only capable of good because of the Spirit of God that resides within me. When I am bad it is because I have failed at that moment to yield to that power within me. When I am good it is only because I am led by that Spirit. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14).

The important thing to understand is that you cannot make these things happen by what you do; they happen as a result of who you are in Christ.

Are you an abider, or are you fumbling through life with no direction? Maybe you’re not sure. Maybe you need someone to help you look into the Scriptures to discover where you stand with God. I am here waiting, desiring to help you. Reach out to me.

John C. Lawton
John@JohnCLawton.org