The Reverent One
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“CONTINUE IN HIM”
A brief but revealing look at the meaning of continue and how it applies to the believer.
“Dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.” (I John 2:28)
Just as your life on earth in the physical body is ongoing until your death, so must be your faith in Christ. Without continued faith in his Son, it is impossible to please God or retain the free gift of salvation.
Let’s look first at the significance of the word continue and it’s synonym persist. What is John actually telling us to do when he says ‘continue in Him?’
Continue = To go on with a particular action; To remain in the same state (the state of being in Christ) To carry on after an interruption and resume (sin, doubt, backsliding, or wavering faith followed by repentance & recommitment)
Persist = To hold firmly and steadfastly to a purpose (our faith) despite obstacles and setbacks (sin, trials, and tribulation) in order to continue in existence (with the Lord)
Clearly, the Apostle John is exhorting all believers to stay close to the Lord and cultivate our relationship with Him. If our faith begins to waver or we start doubting what we once believed than we no longer have a fixed or strong belief. Whereas a faith that is steadfast is a faith that is strong and pure.
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy,
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of…” (II Timothy 3:14a)
And the Apostle Jude wrote,
But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1:20 N.L.T.)
May the Lord keep you and sustain you by the power of the Holy-Spirit... for He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world!
AMEN