| To “abide” is to “continue,” to “remain.” Obviously, it does not refer to our salvation, for the true believer will always “continue” to be saved; he will “remain” saved forever. Our Lord said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” To “abide,” then, has reference to our fellowship with the Lord, and “the fruit of the Spirit … love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” is borne only as we “stay” in fellowship with Him. “The fruits of righteousness … are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God,” and our Lord said, “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit,” and “if ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love,” and “if ye continue [abide] in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river … neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” |
