The Power in Abiding

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)

Abiding in Christ is two fold, first we abide in Christ and He abides in us. It appears that we have to take the first step of faith to abide in Him and He in turns promises that He abides in us. There lies the secret of bearing fruits. The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost which is the start of the harvest activities in the Jewish calendar, where first fruits are waved by the priest before Yahweh as an offering (Lev 23). It is therefore no coincidence that the Holy Spirit was poured out in connection to the harvest. Spiritual fruits are to be harvested with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Fruits that are worthy of repentance from evil to good (Luke 3:8 and Matt 7:16-23) are to be harvested for the Kingdom of Heaven.

What does it take so that we abide in Christ? Especially we know that we are saved not on the grounds of works. In Matt 19 the disciples asked Jesus ‘who then can be saved’, and the answer was it is only possible with God. But we may say that we are not like that rich man Jesus is referring to. If we look at the preceding verses about the encounter with the rich young ruler who not only possess physical wealth but also lack nothing (Matt 19:20) in the way of doing good. I believe Jesus saw not just the possession he had physically, but also the wealth in self-worth. Self is something we can be so rich of hence John the Baptist cried out that He MUST increase and I (self) decrease (John 3:30). We recognize that we are full of ‘self’ in our demanding for our ‘rights’ and saying things like ‘why should I apologize first?’ Our self sufficiency and self priority denies the Lordship of Jesus Christ over every aspect of our life. He can’t abide in such an individual.

Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
(Rom 6:8)

John the Baptist understood that decreasing is a form of death to self. It’s recognizing that we are dead (Rom 6:6) and alive to Christ. Gal 2:20 speaks the same truth. It takes faith to live this life where Christ liveth in me. Heb 11:1 says that faith substantiates or assures us. The life of faith has the resurrection power which is by the Glory of the Father (Rom 6:4). The abiding in Christ takes place when we first know (Rom 6:4, 9) that we have died with Christ. Many of us carry the head knowledge but without the ‘knowing’ that brings a revelation of this truth. People say that the furthest distance is between the head and the heart. When the ‘knowing’ reaches the heart or core it will become revelation. This revelation of death of self will manifest its great power and thus abiding in Christ begins.

Firstly there is a power to live a new life freed from the bondages of sin that enslavement of the devil and demons. We also no longer have to bear the weight of the accuser of the brethren accusing us day and night before God. In other words we are free from guilt. Being free from guilt is a life that has the Peace of God. Guilt is terrible burdens for many who haven’t experience this wonderful working power. Having guilt removed frees us from suspicion and fear. We have the power over the dominion of sin (the nature that breeds forth sins, that is the fruit of sin). Any wonder why we can confess the same sins over and over without living transformed lives. It takes a possibility in God to do this mighty work. Know that this work is finished (John 19:30) on the cross we just have to reckon this truth.

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
(Rom 6:13)

Secondly, there is the power to yield ourselves in order to speak, think and do righteousness. All our facilities can be given to righteousness. No part of our body can participate in any form of evil. We ‘are created in Christ Jesus unto good works…’ Eph 2:20. These works of righteousness are not performed until the power of God created us for it. There is the enablement for us to do good and doesn’t become a struggle any more (Rom 7:15). Righteousness becomes our nature.

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(Matt 7:23)

This is a sober reminder for us that performing works isn’t enough to be saved at the end. There are a lot of ‘do-gooders’ (‘Christians’ included) out there that will not be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven when Jesus returns. Any work that is outside the fruit that comes with Christ abiding has roots in iniquity or self generated with self in mind. This work glories self and not raised by the Glory of the Father. This work has the appearance of Christianity but lacking the power of the abiding Christ (2 Tim 3:5). To know this power is to know death to self. It is not ‘crucifying’ ourselves, but having the revelation that we have died with Christ and raised with Him. How do we know we live in this glorious state? It is when sin continues to dominate our lives and we struggle in unrighteous speaking, thinking and doing. There is true power in abiding in Christ and Him abiding in us and may this become a reality for us.