ABIDING IN CHRIST

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." (John 15:4).

When some knowledge has been obtained in words or deeds, in nature or history, the mind is prepared to seek the inner meaning hidden in them. This is true with the teaching of Scripture concerning Jesus Christ. He is set before us as a man among us, before us, above us, doing a work for us here on earth and continuing that work for us in heaven. Many Christians never advance beyond an external exalted Lord, in whom they trust for what He has done and is doing for them and in them. They know and enjoy little of the power of the true mystery of Christ in us, of His inward presence, as an indwelling Savior.

The former and simpler view is that of the first three gospels. The more advanced view is found in the gospel of John. The former is the aspect of truth presented in the doctrine of justification.

The latter is the teaching concerning the union of the believer with Christ and his continual abiding as taught in John and the epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians.

Abiding In Christ

This abiding in Christ and Christ in you must be more than a truth you hold in its right place in your scheme of gospel doctrine. It must be a matter of life and experience that inspires your faith in Christ and relationship with God. To be in a room means to have all that there is in it at your disposal, its furniture, its comforts, its light, its air, its shelter. To be in Christ, to abide in Christ, is not a matter of intellectual faith, but a spiritual reality.

Think who and what Christ is. Consider Him in the five stages that reveal His nature and work. He is the incarnate One, in whom we see God's omnipotence united perfectly in the divine and human nature. Living in Him, we are partaking of the divine nature and of eternal life. He is the obedient One, living a life of entire surrender to God and perfect dependence on Him.

Living in Him, our life becomes one of complete subjection to God's will and continual waiting upon His guidance. He is the crucified One, who died for sin and to sin that He might take it away. Living in Him, we are free from sin's curse and dominion.

We live, like Him, in death to the world and our own will. He is the risen One, who lives forever. Living in Him, we share His resurrection power and walk in newness of life, a life that has triumphed over sin and death. He is the exalted One, sitting on the throne and carrying on His work for the salvation of men. Living in Him, His love possesses us, and we give ourselves to Him to be used in winning the world back to God.

Being in Christ, abiding in Him, means the soul is placed by God Himself in the midst of this wonderful environment of the life of Christ. We are given up to God, in obedience and sacrifice, filled with God in resurrection life and glory. The nature and character of Jesus Christ - His attitudes and affections, His power and glory - these are the elements in which we live, the air we breathe, the life in which our life exists and grows.

The Indwelling Christ

The full manifestations of God and His saving love can come in no other way than by indwelling. In virtue of Christ's divinity and divine power, He can, as we abide in Him, dwell in us. To the degree our heart is given to Him in faith and our will is given in active obedience, He comes in and abides in us. We can say, because we know: Christ liveth in me.

If we are to actually live with Christ in us and we in Him, then we must be renewed and strengthened in our personal relationship with God in the morning watch. Our access to God, our sacrifice to God, and our expectation from God must all be in Christ, in living fellowship with Him.

If you feel that you want to get nearer to God, to realize His presence or power more fully-come to God in Christ. Think how Jesus, a man on earth, drew near to the Father in deep humility and dependence, in full surrender and entire obedience. We must come in His spirit and character, in union with Jesus.

Seek to take the very place before God that Christ has taken in heaven, that of an accomplished redemption, of a perfect victory, of full entrance to God's glory. Take the very place before God that Christ took on earth on His way to the victory and the glory. Do it by faith in His indwelling and enabling power in you here on earth.

Expect your approach to God to be accepted, not according to your attainment, but according to your heart's surrender and your acceptance in Christ. Then you will be led on the path in which Christ, living in you and speaking in you, will be truth and power.