Abiding in Christ

A Christian is "a new creature in Christ" (2 Cor. 5:17), yet, for most believers, this new status too often remains an unclaimed treasure. They know that they are (or at least are supposed to be) united with Christ, but that new union has little or no effect on their lives. What's gone wrong? Our union with Christ must be experienced - we must abide with Christ.

Read John 15:1-17

Jesus expressed the need for engagement in this union in John 15. The fact of our union with Him is clear:
"I am the vine, you are the branches." (v.5).
But this union requires a continuing action:
"Abide in Me, as I abide in you." (v.4).

Our objective state calls for a subjective experience. We move from the indicative (what is true of us) to the imperative (what we must do), with the former providing the essential basis for the latter. Living out our new status is the over arching theme of the New Testament.

The Puritans emphasized the distinction between our status and our experience by speaking of union and communion. We are united to Christ by faith through the gracious work of God's Spirit. Now we must seek to live out that union in a relationship of communion with God. The union precedes the communion and provides the sure basis for it grounded entirely in the saving work of God (Philippians 2:12-13). Our experience of communion can fluctuate with our inconsistent efforts to engage in those activities which foster a harmonious relationship. God's love, however, does not fluctuate, for we have a union with Christ that nothing can separate (Romans 8:31-39).

If you want to know how and why we should abide in Him, just consider the union between the Father and His Son described in detail throughout John's Gospel. His primary theme was that Jesus was sent by the Father and, through Him, we see the Father. Their dynamic relationship energized Jesus' ministry. Out of this personal union come His teachings, works, and wonders, which manifest the very character and essence of God.

This relationship between the Father and the Son is the model and source of the relationship between Jesus and His disciples (us!). Jesus called His followers to this state of abiding by using the most graphic imagery:
"He who eats of My flesh and drinks of My blood abides in Me and I in him" (John 6:56).

This is our most clear call to spiritual intimacy anywhere in Scripture. Just as the Father has loved Jesus, so Jesus has loved His disciples, and they are to abide in His love (15:9) Just as Jesus has remained in His Father's love by obeying His commands, so the disciples are to abide in Jesus' love by obeying His commands (15:10). And as they abide in Him, Jesus will convey His life to them, even as a vine gives life to its branches (15:4-6). His life will manifest itself in the disciples' lives as they bear fruit, just as His works were the works of His Father. Apart from Him, His disciples can do nothing (15:5), just as Jesus could do nothing apart from the Father (15:19,30).

Abiding in Christ is the essence of the promise of the New Covenant - the God who commands us from the outside in the Old Covenant now comes to live within us in the new. Christ is now the basis, the cause and the source of every possible Holy Affection, i.e. godly, righteous and holy act done by us. As we entrust ourselves to Christ and depend upon Him, we are like branches that draw on the vitality of the vine to produce good fruit.

To abide in Christ is to recognize the Gospel as reality and to live in the light of it. To help us God has given us "His Graces"- His presence, His Word, His people, and His Spirit. Let us not forget our ability to pray. We can call on the Almighty for His power at any point needed. We share a life with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are truly without excuse. This is a profound mystery (Ephesians 5:32). Abiding in Christ is a gracious work of the Spirit (1 John 4:13). He is the wind behind our sails. Without Him, we can do nothing, but with Him, well . . . LOOK OUT!!!

I intend for this writing to be the foundation of most blogs to come. For example, I hope my next post will be on an action, say, for example, forgiveness. You and I cannot do the heavy lifting alone. Spiritual Disciples - Holy Affections, must be resourced by God is true and lasting. Every blog so far has been on that order. We have to take the training wheels off now, time for the floaties to go away. It's time to study and live. Theology proceeds action. The best version of ourselves is only possible by His presence, power, and provision. Three reasons to get this life as right as possible:

1. Him
2. Others
3. Yourself

How you order them depends on where you are in your journey, Might even depend on the day or your circumstances, but getting this life right is not only possible, but also logical. Why not? I believe you truly want to go on with God and be your best self. So, let's do it. Let's abide in Christ and conquer our "demons" and "carry our cross" til' He comes.



In Christ,
Pastor Todd