Today, as we commemorate the life of St. Athanasius, a man who exemplified unwavering faith in Christ, we are reminded of the importance of remaining in Christ. St. Athanasius’ life and his steadfast adherence to the authentic teachings of Christ and His Church serve as a powerful testament to the significance of this commitment. The Lord’s constant plea for us to remain in Him is a reflection of the fact that there is no safe place or state outside of His love.
St Athanasius’s life teaches us that abiding in Christ often requires us to make sacrifices—our reputation, friendships, business opportunities, and more. However, the worth of Christ far surpasses any worldly gain. The unchanging truth that Jesus Christ is the true God and true man continues to elevate humanity, especially believers, as St. Athanasius taught. Remaining in Christ not only grants us access to heavenly resources but also assures us of eternal life in His presence.
Protection and Pleading
Another value of remaining in Christ is protection from false “prophets” and “christs” who could perform marvelous signs to deceive the children of God (Matt 24:24; Rev 13:13). You would not know what is going on in an organization you are not a member of.
It is as if Jesus, our Lord, is pleading with us to ‘remain’ in His love. But why does He plead? His love for us surpasses human understanding, and He does not wish for us to stray. Yet, He does not force us to stay in a good state. God respects our free will and does not impose Himself on us. Instead, he extends an invitation and gently guides us toward making the right decisions.
The concept of ‘remaining’ in Christ is a recurring theme in the gospel of John, and it carries a profound meaning. The Greek word ‘μένω’ (which can be translated as remain, abide, dwell, continue, be present) appears more than 35 times in the Gospel of John. This frequent use of different words to convey the same idea underscores the importance of ‘remaining ‘, ‘dwelling ‘, and ‘abiding’ in Christ in our spiritual journey.
Remain, Abide, Stay
If you ask someone to “remain” at a place or in a state, it entails that you are aware they could “leave.” The Lord is not unaware of the many temptations that plague humanity and attempt to lure us away from His presence. Staying with Jesus requires God’s help and our understanding of our contributions in our journey of faith.
As eternity beckons, Christ begs us to remain, abide, and stay with Him so that we may dwell eternally with Him.
