12/11/2018
When we say that Jesus abides in us and we in Him what does that really mean to us? Does it mean that we have a house guest that we treat cordially, or does it mean that we are actually sharing a home and life with Jesus... doing our laundry together... preparing and eating our meals together... praying together? How convenient it is for some to treat Him as a guest in their home, when in fact Christ wants joint ownership in that home, and to live fully in it with us, sharing Himself just as He expects us to share ourselves.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
John 15:4 ESV
I have watched male friends who have remained unmarried long into adulthood. They finish their education, get a good job, buy a nice car, build up wealth, and eventually buy a home. All of these things. Belong to them, and they accessorize them to meet their individual needs, and develop personal habits that surround them. Then, in their loneliness, they realize that something is missing so they begin to seek a mate and find someone who they feel love for, connected to, and at long last marry. All is good while they are away on their honeymoon, but when the couple returns, and the bride moves into the house that once belonged solely to this friend... the trouble starts. This once single and independent friend must share his “things”, and more than that, his new spouse wants to redecorate, and accessorize the house so that she feels comfortable there. Suddenly his defenses go up and the love he felt when they were dating and living separately is questioned... at this point many of these marriages fail. This guy wanted his spouse to be a guest in HIS home, not for her to abide in THEIR home. This is similar to what happens when we invite Jesus to abide in us... so often we just want a house guest... a long term visitor who abides by our rules and respects our existing life and its boundaries. Oh we want help with the mortgage, and the repairs, but in the end we desire to maintain ownership, and to remain the lord of the house. Andrew Murray wrote of this in these words...
“To all who are preparing to carry the message of Christ to others: Let this abiding in Christ be not only a truth you hold as a doctrine but also a matter of life and experience. Let it energize your faith in Christ and fellowship with the Father.” - Andrew Murray
In other words, abiding with Jesus is more than just a living arrangement in which He lives with us like a tenant, but is a true joining of our lives together. It should increase our relationship with Christ just as marriage and becoming one flesh should increase the love and relationship between a man and a woman. This a God thing, and just as He brings us together with our spouse, He also brings us together with Jesus... and blesses both arrangements.
“Being in Christ, abiding in Him, means that the soul is placed by God Himself in the midst of the wonderful environment of the life of Christ. This life is human and divine, given up to God in obedience and sacrifice. Wholly filled with God in resurrection life and glory.” - Andrew Murray
So how is our relationship going with Jesus now that He has moved in? We have asked Him to abide in us, and we in Him, but are we becoming one, or living separately in the same house?
“But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.”
1 Corinthians 6:17 ESV
Are we now leaving behind our old life, and forming a new life by redecorating our lives, and making all of our property joint? Or, are we continuing to have separate belongings? This is the difficulty in abiding as we should in Christ...
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:27-28 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for allowing us to abide in your Son Jesus Christ, and He in us. Thank you Holy Father for allowing Jesus to join us together with you as He abides in you, and you in Him. Together we are one in the Spirit, and in all ways. Help me Father to abandon my old life of sin and independent lifestyle, so that I might be abiding fully with you , and Jesus... Holy, righteous, and a new person. Teach me Merciful Father to not only share my life, but to yield it to your will. Help me to let go of those things that make you uncomfortable, or that even alienate you, and to latch onto those things that give you pleasure. Let my life be yours, and my will succumb to yours. Bless me Father in this our union, and abiding life together. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, and in your house I will find my home forevermore. Praised be your name Lord, and all glory is yours always!
Rich Forbes