04/11/2021
As Christians we believe in the truth of scripture, and when we read that Jesus abides in us and we in Him, we know this to be true. So let’s ask ourselves a question... if we have faith as believers in Jesus, and believe that He abides in us, then shouldn’t we also believe that God does as well? Jesus tells us this rather directly.
“Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.”
John 14:10 ESV
The thought of this should both thrill us, and frighten us. We should be thrilled in the fact that the God of all creation would find us worthy of His abode through Jesus, but in as much as God can’t tolerate sin it should also frighten us because if we walk in darkness, then when we sin we could be making it impossible for Him to remain in us.
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 1:5-7 ESV
However, in fact, we shouldn’t be afraid, but maintain our belief in both God, and Jesus. We should allow the grace that flows through Christ to be a cocoon that shields God, who is within us, against all our sin, the blood of Jesus to cleanse us of it, and we should allow only light to enter into us.
““Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”
John 14:1 ESV
But what is meant by light? What does it mean to walk in light? As it is written in scripture, light is truth, and truth emanates from God’s Holy Word. To walk in it as God does we must be ever faithful to His Word, just as He is. Psalms 119 helps clarify this for us by describing God’s Word as a lamp, and its truth as the light that lights our way...
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.”
Psalm 119:105-106 ESV
So Jesus abides in us, and we in Him, just as God abides in Jesus, and He in Him. In this way we are a branch of the vine, and bear its fruit. In this way we, like Moses, radiate the divine glow of God’s light as we shine out into the world.
“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
Let’s ask ourself a rather pointed question... How much fruit am I bearing, and is God’s light, His truth, shining from within me today?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Holy Word which is the lamp we carry against the darkness, and thank you for the light of truth that it shines forth to illuminate our path. Lord, thank you for coming to abide in us through your Son Jesus, and for making it possible by His righteousness, perfection, and obedience to your will, to do so. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, whose Word nourishes us, and allows us to bring forth fruit for you. Praised be your name for every drop of the living water Jesus provides us, and each ray of light your truth shines on us; they cause us to grow strong in our faith, and allow us to serve you all the more. You are merciful Father, and never abandon us to our own devices. By your grace we are saved, and we fall prostrate before you to humbly worship you in spirit and truth. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and see only His face when you look upon us in judgement. Let our faith be enough, and our belief be unshakeable in that moment. Lift us up Father when Jesus calls our name worthy, and seat us at your table forevermore.
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.””
John 10:28-30 ESV
Rich Forbes