All tagged Abiding
Are we living a Christlike life? Do we want to be pleasing to God, or even more than that, do we want to be like God... perfect? To some this might sound like heresy, but we should always want to do as He does, and be as He is, because isn’t that what Jesus is, and doesn’t He tell us that He abides in us, and we in Him? So if Jesus is the exact imprint of God’s nature, and being like Him is our great desire, then being like God should be our greatest desire. Knowing Jesus we then know God.
The Lord stands at our door and knocks, but is this a convenient time for us to receive guests? Yes, I said guests. Knocking at the door is something for visitors to do, but our family, and the love of our life, need not knock, they enter with nary a pause... they are always welcome. Do we love God, and Jesus, enough to allow them free and loving access to our heart, our homes, our tables, and our lives?
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.
When you are struggling, suffering, or wandering, where do you go, and in who do you place your trust? If you go to men or institutions then you are preparing yourself for disappointment, but if you seek out God, then you will find relief and salvation in Him that is certain, and will not fail you, and the realization that all paths to Him lead through Jesus Christ.
Have you met Jesus Christ, and become determined to study and understand the truths of God? Do you say to yourself that you want Jesus to abide in you, and yet you are not really certain that He has done so? Well when you ask Him, He will anoint and enter you, but in the beginning you may feel only His peace and joy, but little more... this is the first day of school, and from here you will begin your education by being taught how to learn.
You believe in God, and are determined to seek Him all the more each day. Is your burning desire to reflect a perfection of faith; His amazing characteristic of holiness? Well, it should be, because who sets out to do something, or to be something, and has set mediocre as their goal?
Do you obey the commandments of Jesus? If your answer is yes, and you are working your way through life doing all you can towards this end yet you have not felt Jesus to be alive in your life, then I need to ask you one more question... do you obey Him out of love?
Do we abide in Jesus Christ? This is an incredibly powerful question, and our answer to it determines much. This is the condition that is placed on one of the most sought after promises in the Bible... answered prayer, and it is also linked to other promises such as the love of God, and joy. So how do you approach Jesus? Is Christ abiding in you, or just a visitor?