ABIDING IN JESUS

Abiding in the Vine

Time with Jesus - Friday, 31 May 2013

Hi all,

My father married the first and only girlfriend he ever had. He met her in 1937 in Hull while overhauling turbo-generating equipment at Skull-Coates Lane Power Station. They married the day after her 21^st birthday in 1940 and were together until she died in 2001.

Neither of them spoke of the war years more often than necessary. It had been a dreadful time of suffering, loss and death. They did tell me that preparations for the possibility of war began before hostilities commenced. Things like gas-masks were made and issued. Air raid shelters were built and similar precautions were taken. The object was to do what could be done, so that in the event of a war, people were protected.

Some of the people themselves took what precautions they could. They knew that if a bomb fell on their house, their prospects of survival were slim. Others made no preparations. When the air raid sirens began their dreadful wail, people made their way to whatever shelter was available. Incidentally, the air raid shelter would not save the occupants in the case of a direct hit. But they were safer in those shelters than in their houses or on the streets. Later, when people had grown accustomed to the nightly terror, many stayed in bed and hoped they would be safe. Some were. Many were not.

The life of a Christian in 2013 is not unlike the streets of the major cities during a bombing raid. We know that we are fighting an implacable enemy; an enemy who has one purpose; to destroy God’s people. He will do so if given the opportunity. 

Righteous People?

South Africa is not a bastion of righteous people. The majority are just the opposite. But His followers know that they are covered with the blood of Jesus. In a sense He is our air raid shelter. But we are free to wander the streets should we so wish. In this regard, we are free to play hop-scotch in the minefield of dangerous situations. 

Trying to Fly!

I may be a Christian. But if I step off the roof I am just as likely to die as an unbeliever. Jesus does not protect us from our own foolish actions. Bear in mind that the blood of Jesus does not inoculate us against our own stupidity. In this, we have a part to play. The Lord’s half-brother, Jude, expressed it as follows:

²⁰ But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, ²¹ and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love. Jude 1:20-21 NLT

Today’s meditation looks at this from the aspect of continuing in known sin, after having committed your life to Jesus. Luther and some of the early protestant reformers stated that after salvation, they could rape, kill and pillage because their salvation depended upon Jesus and not on Martin Luther. Today, this call has been taken up by the extreme grace message that is so popular. “Once saved always saved” is their clarion call. You may enjoy the fleshpots of life and can have the very best of heaven. Come to Jesus now and all this is yours!

I for one would like to believe this. I wish I could. That’s the way I would like it to be. But that’s not what I find in Scripture. I see Christians being exhorted to put away the lusts of the flesh. I see promises made to “overcomers”. Who are they if there is nothing to overcome? I read Scriptures which quote Jesus as saying: ¹³ And everyone will hate you because you are My followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13 NLT

Endure to the End!

For me it is very clear. I am not saved so that I may sin as much as I want. For me, salvation is not a one off event. It is a process which begins with committing your life to Jesus. The fulfillment of this comes at the mouth of the grave. Then assuming I’ve been faithful and followed Jesus, I will have endured to the end and will be saved.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Friday, 31 May 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	ABIDING IN JESUS
Looking at the first Scripture today; abide in Him, is the topic for today’s meditation. I’ve included most of the other Scriptures. Hopefully you will enjoy the humorous touch! Humour is the best way to convey bad news. This approach has come about as a result of what is implied by “abiding” in Jesus. Essentially, abiding in Him means to live like He did; imitating Him as much as humanly possible. The expression “living seamlessly” could well be a good way to put it. Of course, for us that is impossible! Not without the help and guidance of His Spirit. Abiding in Him does not mean speaking the way He did. We can train parrots to do that; parrots can never be Christian. It means to live a lifestyle like His. It’s a question of behaviour rather than speech. In this way, behaviour underlies speech. I’m vividly reminded of the expression, “Do as I say, not as I do!” Parents are often accused by their children of such hypocrisy. John Gill, the 18th century theologian commented on 1 John 2:28-29 as follows: - The visible proof of being a Christian is right behaviour. Many people do good deeds but don't have faith in Jesus Christ. Others claim to have faith but rarely produce good deeds. A deficit in either faith or right behaviour will be a cause for shame when Christ returns. Because true faith always results in good deeds, those who claim to have faith and who consistently do what is right are true believers. Good deeds cannot produce salvation (see Eph. 2:8-9), but they are necessary proof that true faith is actually present (see James 2:14-17). It is particularly distressing that men believe they could “make a decision” for Jesus 30 years ago. From then on they believe they can do anything at all. They may sin indiscriminately and God will not hold them accountable. But it is inconceivable that the same God Who condemns sinners will not condemn “Christians” for the same sins! Those who live like the world are not abiding in Him! I understand that Martin Luther and several of the early Protestant reformers believed this. Of course, that doesn’t make something right or wrong. We are only ever “correct” when our opinion coincides with that which God states. Incidentally, this applies to me and everyone else in the Church today. Something is not correct because anyone thinks so. It is only correct if God says so. My problem with Luther’s opinion is this. I can’t believe that God will condone sins in a saint that He will condemn in a sinner. That’s an inconsistency we should never try and leave at God’s door. He is not double-minded! Personally, I’m not prepared to take a risk with this. My love for Him compels me to follow His lifestyle, the essence of abiding in Him. Am I sin free? No! But His blood cleanses me from all unrighteousness. I believe that abiding in Him will inevitably result in my producing good “fruit”. Sure, He gets all the credit! But as Paul wrote to the Romans in the Message translation; 1 So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? 2 I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Rom 6:1-2 MSG There will come a day when God judges everyone. I’d hate to flirt with sin and be included among the disobedient. My way may be more difficult but it is the “safer” approach. Abiding in Him assures me of His eternal reward. Continuing to live like a sinner is likely to lead to destruction. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 1 John 2:28 ESV 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:5-8 NLT 6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to Himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 8 Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. Galatians 1:6-8 NLT 4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace. Galatians 5:4  NLT 7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? Galatians 5: 7 NLT 4 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me. 5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in Me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! John 15:4-7 NLT 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV	We used to sing it often, in the church to which we went. But no one ever told us just what “abiding” meant. “Abiding in the Vine”; these were the words we used to sing. Reflecting back upon them now, they didn’t mean a thing. They brought a “gooey” feeling as we sang in one accord. Enthusiastic praises to our Everlasting Lord. Webster’s Dictionary says it is a transitive verb. Assuming that you understand such highfaluting blurb! It talks about the syntax and means that we must wait. But if SARS puts a tax on sin, we’d all be in a state. Another definition means, to bear things patiently. Not a favourite pastime I can state assuredly. Another way to put it is, “endure and never yield”. A sort of fun expression on the rugby playing field. I hope you understand it. It’s clear as mud to me. And really doesn’t help me with my daily poetry. So much for dictionaries. That didn’t help a bit. I think the Lord meant, “be prepared” and “never ever quit!” He’s told us He is coming back, but none of us know when! What will we be doing and what will happen then? Will we be ashamed of all the things which we have done? Will we wish we didn’t have to meet with God’s own Son? Not if we use wisdom. He’ll generously give, All the wisdom needed for each of us to live. But a bigger danger, is we may fall away, Following a “gospel” which is not the truth today! There are many teachers who pervert the Word of God. None of them will pass beneath the Master’s measuring rod. Just like the Galatians they’ve fallen from God’s grace! I for one don’t envy all the problems they will face. Sadly, they had started to “run the race” so well. Why they were deflected? I’m sorry, I can’t tell. There is a solution. Abiding in the vine. Tapping into Jesus will keep us doing fine. Never ever leave Him; without Him we are lost. Furthermore, to leave Him, is much too great a cost. Think about His promise. If we will but remain, Abiding in the Master; then when He comes again, We will be rewarded. But more importantly, We will be with Jesus throughout eternity. God has many promises. In Christ they are AMEN! It’s only just a question of when He comes back again! Jim Strickland Written 31st May 2012