Abide means Accept or Act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation)
similar words: Obey, Observe, Follow, Keep to, uphold, stick to
Jesus says in John 15:4-6: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abide’s (Sticks to) the vine, neither can YOU (be fruitful – Gal 5:22-23) 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.
Imagine a world where we daily chose to Abide. Abide first in the Lord. Abide in his Word (Bible) which basically is a guidebook to living in true love. Abide in prayer
1 John 4:16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God IS love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides IN him.
Then take it one step further. IF we are indeed Abiding in God truthfully and with our whole heart we also have the Spirit living in us.
Galatians 5:25-26 IF we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Lamentations 3:22-23 The Steadfast (familiar word) love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Imagine a world where if we Chose to wake up to his new mercies every morning (say tomorrow) to connect with him (pray) seek him, invite the holy spirit in so that we are keeping in step with the spirit instead of our earthly desires. A day we started and stayed on course to show up and show LOVE instead of becoming conceited, or provoking one another, or letting envy rot our bones.
There is a lot of hate, anger, rage, emotion, pent up feelings being let loose. A lot of bad happens in this world, but imagine if it didn’t, or imagine if we chose to address the bad that does happen by Abiding in the Lord first, as it’s only through him that we have the breathe of life to begin with. IF we choose to show Love, to rebuild in love, to honor the fallen by leaving a legacy that they would want to be a part of and remembered by. Not one of Destruction, Discord, Discrimination (Dare I say the DEVIL). One where we choose to Abide in Peace, Community, Growth, and above all else LOVE. One that (call me crazy) starts to get back to the center of the whole reason we are here to begin with. GOD. He gave us the very breathe of life, and although this earth is fallen and broken, we are WHOLE when we are in Him. And we can rebuild if we choose to Abide in Him, in His Love. His love is pure, this world without him will continue to crumble. Which world do you want to live in?