Let’s Study Present Truth (Pt. 6: The Truth of Surrender)

In 1 John 2:28 we read the first key truth that will prepare us for Christ’s second coming:

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

(1 John 2:28)

What does it mean to “abide”?

The Key To Biblically Abiding

We see a clear illustration of what abiding looks like Biblically in John 15:4-5.

In these verses, Jesus tells us:

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

{John 15:4-5, emphasis added}

Do you see the keynote here in this verse that reveals the definition for “abide”?

In order to abide in Jesus, we NEED Jesus.

More specifically, we need to surrender to and depend on HIM in all that we do and in how we live.

It reminds me of how Matthew Henry’s commentary on John 15:4 puts it:

Note, It is the great concern of all Christ’s disciples constantly to keep up a dependence upon Christ and communion with him, habitually to adhere to him, and actually to derive supplies from him.

-Matthew Henry’s Commentary on John 15:4

To me, this statement just slams the nail right on the head.

The Crux of Abiding

In order for us to be ready for Jesus’ second coming (which is what present truth is all about as we saw previously in part 5 of this series), we need to abide in Christ–surrender to Christ and depend on Him–as we just saw in 1 John 2:28.

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

(1 John 2:28)

So, since surrender to and dependence on Christ is so important, HOW do we do so?

Well, to close out today’s blog post, I’d like to share with you a FREE online Bible Study Guide that will help you learn all the details you need to know in order to truly surrender to God and depend on Him!

Now, be sure to stay tuned for our next blog post where we’ll look at the second key element of present truth!

I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land.

Psalm 143:6

Amen! Maranatha!