Meme: This Is...

Abide In Christ

Abide in Christ – Being in Christ
“Abide in Me [Christ], and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4).

Consider abiding in Christ or being in Christ as a journey. This spiritual adventure begins with a personal experience with Jesus Christ and continues for the rest of your life. The steps on this glorious path are ones of both pain and great gain since you must leave your former, natural pathways to follow a new way of living (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new path involves denial of your former path and its accompanying selfish desires and actions (see Romans 6:3-5), but is also filled with great blessings, including the very presence of Jesus Christ and a joy that is beyond description in human terms alone (1 Peter 1:8). This new life is one lighted only in small steps, which require faith in following along with, but not ahead of, Jesus Christ. Yet those who choose to discipline themselves do so with the assurance of fellowship that continues forever with Jesus Christ in His Home called Heaven (John 3:16 and John 14:1-3).

Abide in Christ – Remaining in Close Fellowship with Jesus Christ

To abide in Christ is not a matter of being in a relationship with Jesus and then suddenly being without that relationship. Abiding in Christ is experiencing an intimate, close relationship with Jesus as your Savior. It is more than a superficial acquaintance.

The life of Jesus Christ on earth was one of trial and suffering (Matthew 8:20), but also one of great joy in doing the will of God the Father (John 15:9-11). After the initial experience of coming along side of Jesus Christ, one begins to walk more and more as He walked (1 John 2:6). It is accompanied by a heart that is inclined and dedicated to obey God and His Word.

Abide in Christ – Continuing in Closeness

Being in Christ also involves the Holy Spirit, who convicts, comforts, and communicates with the disciple of Christ (John 14, 16). The truth that the Holy Spirit will teach the believer in Christ is always the same as that which Jesus Christ said to His disciples while they walked with Him on this earth (John 16:13-15).

This invisible leading is one that goes beyond words and even outward actions. There is an intimacy for the follower of Christ who hears the beckoning and guidance of the Holy Spirit which transcends what can be described in human terms alone. This closeness leads to a fruitful life with both inward and outward manifestations. These fruit are gifts from this life with the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Jesus Christ likened abiding in Him to a branch of a tree remaining part of the main vine of a tree (Luke 13 and John 15). From this vine (Jesus Christ) comes the only true, spiritual nourishment and eternal life. The branch that seeks its own ways and substitutes candy for spiritual food will not grow and will not produce spiritual fruit (John 15:2, 6). The branch which receives this spiritual food grows and helps to lead to other growth on the tree and receives to itself a life of “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Provided by "All About Following Jesus"

Jesus Wants You To Know...

"I am training you to thank Me not only for obvious blessings but also for situations you would never have chosen - a wayward child or spouse; loss of health, home, or employment. This is counterintuitive thankfulness, and it is possible only to the extent that you trust Me at a deep level. It is also a matter of self-discipline: willing yourself to thank Me even when your circumstances are screaming at you to find a way out.

Though it is wise to look for ways to improve your situation, you cannot force My hand - or My timing. Just keep coming into My Presence with thanksgiving. Your persistent thankfulness may actually provide the long-awaited key I will use to unlock major difficulties in your life. Giving thanks to Me can open doors in ways that transcend your understanding." - "Jesus Today" by Sarah Young

Why Should We Read the Bible?

Scripture:

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. - 1 John 4:9-10

 

Reflect:

Why do you think reading the Bible is an important spiritual discipline?

 

If you asked someone “Why should I read the Bible?” you will get a variety of answers. American history tells the story of a skeptic surprised to see Abraham Lincoln reading a Bible. Lincoln’s response was, “Take all that you can of this book upon reason, and the balance on faith, and you will live and die a happier man.”

 

John Piper once said, “I have never met a mature, fruitful, strong, spiritually discerning Christian who is not full of Scripture, devoted to regular meditation on Scripture, and given to storing it in the heart through Bible memorization - and that’s not a coincidence.”

 

It is true that there are a variety of reasons why reading the Bible is valuable and important. But I propose to you that the most important reason to read the Bible is because it is God’s special revelation to man and what He reveals to us is beyond amazing.

 

The Bible contains the greatest love story ever told. About how God made us even though He didn’t need us. About how He wanted a relationship with us. But we sinned. We ruined our relationship with God and His perfect creation was tarnished. But still, He loved us and wanted that fellowship restored. So He sent His Son, Jesus to sacrifice His own life on our behalf - to pay the penalty for our sins and to give us life in His name. Those of us who call upon His name will be saved, our relationship with God will be restored, and we will receive life everlasting. He will come again to finally end sin and death with judgment and to establish His eternal kingdom in the new heaven and the new earth where His saints will reign with Him.

 

Today’s verses summarize the main storyline of the Bible. John wrote that it’s not about how we loved God but rather how God loved us. After all, He created us out of His great love and yet, we disobeyed Him. Throughout the Bible (and human history), humans have disobeyed and even displayed hatred for God more than we’ve loved and obeyed Him. We sinned and we deserved eternal punishment.

 

But still, John says, God loved us! So much that He made His love manifest, or tangible by sending Jesus into the world. Jesus was God in the flesh. But He went even further to demonstrate His love for us. He became the propitiation of our sins. The NIV says God, “sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (v. 9). That is what propitiation means - an atoning sacrifice or a sacrifice given to right a wrong in the eyes of God. Because Jesus paid the due penalty for our sins, John says that we can have life in Him instead of the death we rightfully deserved. The storyline of Scripture is the creation, fall, redemption, and restoration of mankind by a God who loves us.

 

If you are wondering why it is worth the time and effort to read the Bible, here’s my answer. Read the Bible so that you can get to know the God who loves you. It is the most important love story ever written. True story!

 

“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15).

As you read the Scriptures, let God’s love transform your heart.

 

Pray:

God, thank You for Your abundant, steadfast love. Thank You for dying for me, even as I was dead in my sins against You and for raising me up to new, eternal life in You. And thank You for sending us all a message about this great love all throughout Scripture so that we can know You. Amen.

 

- Nat Crawford (Provided by "Back To The Bible")