Post by foxjj on Mar 31, 2022 7:25:45 GMT
To Abide In Christ
The dictionary gives the understanding of Abide, as to continue or remain, which speaks very much to persisting in faith in The Lord Jesus. Abide also carries the understanding to follow or conform which speaks of conversion. The Christianity of The New Testament is very much a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, unlike traditional religions with their requirements of obeying rules and following rituals. Because Jesus was The Son of God who gained redemption through His Sacrificial death and resurrection, we who accept Him as our Savior put our trust in Him alone for forgiveness of sin, and eternal life. This understanding is very relevant when we read John 15:4-11 (ESV)
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
From these words of Jesus we can see how He is calling you and I into a personal relationship with Him. In growing in our knowledge of The Son, we also grow in our knowledge of The Father. How do we obtain this knowledge? Through Scripture, because God has used the writer’s of The Bible to record His Words to us under the anointing of The Spirit. The Spirit in turn reveals truth to all who seek this knowledge. As we go through life each one will experience trials, be they personal health or the health of a loved one as so many have experienced with the pandemic. These trials can test a person to a degree of which they cannot see any hope. It is during times as these that we should remember the words of Jesus calling us to abide in His Love. He is faithful both spiritually and practically.
In one of his letters,John describes Jesus as our Advocate which is a champion or supporter. According to John, Jesus is the One who speaks for believers before the Throne of The Father:
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:1-6 ESV)
Today, let us continue to abide in the love of Jesus our Savior.
John Joseph Fox.
The dictionary gives the understanding of Abide, as to continue or remain, which speaks very much to persisting in faith in The Lord Jesus. Abide also carries the understanding to follow or conform which speaks of conversion. The Christianity of The New Testament is very much a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, unlike traditional religions with their requirements of obeying rules and following rituals. Because Jesus was The Son of God who gained redemption through His Sacrificial death and resurrection, we who accept Him as our Savior put our trust in Him alone for forgiveness of sin, and eternal life. This understanding is very relevant when we read John 15:4-11 (ESV)
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
From these words of Jesus we can see how He is calling you and I into a personal relationship with Him. In growing in our knowledge of The Son, we also grow in our knowledge of The Father. How do we obtain this knowledge? Through Scripture, because God has used the writer’s of The Bible to record His Words to us under the anointing of The Spirit. The Spirit in turn reveals truth to all who seek this knowledge. As we go through life each one will experience trials, be they personal health or the health of a loved one as so many have experienced with the pandemic. These trials can test a person to a degree of which they cannot see any hope. It is during times as these that we should remember the words of Jesus calling us to abide in His Love. He is faithful both spiritually and practically.
In one of his letters,John describes Jesus as our Advocate which is a champion or supporter. According to John, Jesus is the One who speaks for believers before the Throne of The Father:
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:1-6 ESV)
Today, let us continue to abide in the love of Jesus our Savior.
John Joseph Fox.
