At Home In Christ

At Home In Christ

 

“Abide in me, and I in you”

(John 15:4)

 

“Abide in me”, Jesus said, commanding His disciples to be at home in Him. To be “in Christ”, occurred by sovereign election before the world’s foundation (Ephesians 1:3). God’s sovereign act remains irreversible and immutable. To “abide” in Christ is often interrupted by sins of omission, commission, thoughtless neglect, spiritual indifference, unbecoming words, wicked thoughts or deeds. Yet, God’s people are responsible for cultivating abiding in Christ. It’s to be at rest in Him. It’s to cease from the labors of works to please or satisfy God. It’s to be at ease in our conscience, knowing Christ took all the sins of His elect on Himself and bore them as far away as the east is from the west. We abide in Him as our representative and mediator before God. To “abide” is being at peace in our heart before God. Consider five thoughts.

 

Abide in His Truth – “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13)

 

Abide in His Righteousness – “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:9)

 

Abide in His Love – “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love” (John 15:9)

 

Abide in His Fellowship – “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

 

Abide in His Rest – “There remains therefore a rest to the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9)

 

May the Lord’s redeemed people abide moment by moment in Christ.

 

Pastor David Simpson
Providence Church
January 3, 2014