Monday, 7/5/21 – Pressing on… Abiding in the Ever-present Christ

Abiding in the Ever-present Christ

The Greek word translated “abide” is “μένω,” transliterated “menō.” It means to remain, and to remain in several ways…

• In reference to place: to sojourn, tarry – not to depart… to continue to be present, to be held, kept, continually
• in reference to time: to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure… of persons, to survive, live
• in reference to state or condition: to remain as one, not to become another or different, to await one

Strong defines “μένω” as a primary verb meaning to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) — A good husband has learned to do a lot of abiding! 😄 (oops! sorry! 🙃)

Over the next three days we’ll look at the above three ways in which the Christian may abide in Christ. Today we will look at our abiding in Christ in reference to place…

The theological term for the ever-present-ness of God is omnipresence. It simply means That there is no place where God is not. David pondered this and wrote,

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” (Ps. 139:7-12).

This is a terrible truth for those who are running from God, trying to hide from Him. Rev. 6:15-16 tells how in the end times many will try to escape God and “hid[e] in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They [will call] to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!’” Unable to hide they will prefer death, but even there they will find no escape!

But for the child of God the omnipresence of the Lord is a wonderful comfort. The believer can know that no matter where they find themselves, no matter how horrible or difficult, God is there! The Holy Spirit is there! Jesus is there! We can turn to Him, focus our minds and prayers and spirits upon Him, and stay in Him…  abide in Him.

Did he not say,

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5).

“I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matt. 28:20).

More tomorrow…

To hear Pastor John’s Sunday message, go to the Facebook page of Lincoln Baptist Church, or link to the livestream from the church website.