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| 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 21st 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.
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| 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.
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| 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
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| 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
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
Time with Jesus – Friday, 31 May 2013
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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©
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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
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©
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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ABIDING
IN JESUS
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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
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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
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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
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