PASTORS' DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Aug
25

Abiding “BY” or Abiding “IN” Jesus teaching?

Rod Shimabukuro

Scripture

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:9

Observation

Abiding in Jesus’ teaching connects to knowing and living by His truth. 2 John emphasizes the truth of God and living by God’s truth and love. He defines love… “And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.” 2 John 1:6

Thecommandments in v6applies to “abiding in the teaching of Christ” in v9. I see the connection between the love of God and living according to Jesus commandments, which is found in abiding in HIs teachings. This is how affirm and bear witness that we have God - the Father and Son.

Application

WOW - WOW! That’s my response once again…WOW!!!!

I just know that by abiding in person of Jesus (John 15) and in HIs teachings, all flow from the grace of my heavenly Father’s love for me. I have a choice as v9 implies, not to abide in or to abide in Jesus’ teachings. I realize that if I want the fruit of abiding, I must follow Jesus’ commands.

I’m feeling a subtle difference between “abiding IN” Jesus and HIs teachings and “abiding BY” His commandments. Abiding in means to me that I firmly and faithfully acknowledge that all of Jesus’ teachings are right and true, whether I “prove to live BY them.”

Abiding BY His teachings is my (active and ongoing) choice,after recognizing and knowing that I ABIDE IN HIM AND HIS TEACHING.

ABIDING IN JESUS’ TEACHINGS is an attitude, conviction by faith that I fully acknowledge, accept and love Him and all His commands!

Prayer

Dear Daddie God. I love You and Jesus, Your awesome Son! Thank you for loving me, revealing Your love and filling me with Your love. May my response be to abide in - an by Your teaching - all the days of my life…one day at a time! I love You sooooo much!


Devotions for August 25

Jeremiah 37,38,39
Psalms 79
2 John

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