By this we know that we remain in Him and He in us

1 John 4:13 New American Standard Bible 13 By this we know that we remain in Him and He in us, because He has given to us of His Spirit.

The way we know that we are abiding in Christ and in relationship with Almighty God is the Spirit of God who lives within us. He is our internal witness that we are children of God. It is the Spirit of God who leads and guides us into all truth (John 16:13). It is the Holy Spirit who equips and empowers us for ministry (1 Cor 12:10). Jesus has not left us as orphans upon this earth. He had to return to the Father so that the Spirit of God could come and live in the lives of the believers.

Abiding speaks of remaining. When we come to Christ in salvation it is the beginning of a journey of discipleship. Every day we will face challenges and temptations. Every day the enemy will try to destroy our lives through traps and schemes, just like a hunter who is seeking prey. Satan hates us with a hatred that we cannot fully understand. But in Christ we have nothing to fear. The very Spirit of God lives inside us. He equips us and empowers us to overcome and walk in victory.

Every day is a brand-new opportunity to grow in Christ. To manifest His life and His love in all that we do. Wherever God has placed us in the world is our mission field. We are surrounded by lost people who do not know Jesus and have not seen Him. But as we grow in Christ, His life is made manifest in us. As we grow and abide in Christ, those who are lost who surround us on a daily basis will encounter the living Christ through us. This is the importance of abiding. Because His very life fills us and is manifested in a lost and broken world.