GOD’S WORD FOR APRIL 15 ~ ~ Philippians 3;12 ~ ~ “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”
We are reading from Andrew Murray’s famous and beloved classic book from the late 1800’s ~ ~ “Abide in Christ.”
Too many Christians admit that it is a sacred duty and a blessed privilege to abide in Christ, but they shrink back continually before the question: is a life of unbroken fellowship with the Savior possible? Most of them think that only eminent Christians, to whom special opportunities of cultivating this grace have been granted, may attain to it; but for the large majority of disciples, whose lives are so fully occupied with the affairs of this life, it can scarcely be expected. The more they hear of this life, the deeper their sense of its glory and blessedness, and there is nothing they would not do to be made partakers of it, but they are too weak, too unfaithful; they never can do it.
Little do these people know that the abiding in Christ is meant only for the weak and is so beautifully suited to their feebleness. It does not demand the doing of some great thing or that we first lead a holy and devoted life. NO! It is simply weakness entrusting itself to a Mighty One to be kept –the unfaithful one casting self on One who is altogether trustworthy and true.
Abiding in Him is not a work that we have to do as the condition for enjoying His salvation, but a consenting to let Him do all for us, in us, and through us!
It is a work He does for us: the fruit and the power of His redeeming love. Our part is simply to yield, trust, and wait for what He has engaged to perform.
It is this quiet expectation and confidence, resting on the Word of Christ that in Him there is an abiding place prepared that is so sadly lacking among Christians. They scarcely take the time or the trouble to realize that when He said, “Abide in me” (John 15:4), He offered Himself, the Keeper of Israel, who neither slumbers nor sleeps, with all His power and love, as the living home of the soul, where the mighty influences of His grace will be stronger to keep than all the Christians’ feebleness to lead astray.
The idea they have of grace is this: that their conversion and pardon are God’s work but that now, in gratitude to God, it is their work to live as Christians and follow Jesus. There is always the thought of a work that has to be done, and even though they pray for help, still they feel the work is theirs. They fail continually and become hopeless, and the despondency only increases the helplessness.
No, wandering one; as it was Jesus who drew you when He spoke, “Come” (Matthew 11:28), so it is Jesus who keeps you when He said, “Abide” (John 15:4). The grace to come and the grace to abide alike are from Him alone!
That word “come,” heard, meditated on, accepted, was the cord of love that drew you near; that word “abide” is likewise the band with which He holds you fast and binds you to Himself. Let the soul but take time to listen to the voice of Jesus. “In Me,” He said, “is your place – in My almighty arms. It is I who love you so, who speaks “Abide in Me.”’ Surely you can trust Me.”
The voice of Jesus entering and dwelling in the soul must call for the response:
“Yes, Savior. In You, I CAN and I WILL abide.”