He abides in us
John 15 : 1 - 11He who abides in me and I in him......
The key for me starts not with my own abiding but in the Lord's abiding in me, making his home in me (John 14: 23). Evangelicals often point out that there is a condition attached to this : "he will keep my word". We all know how important keeping God's word is and we also know how imperfectly we do this - each and every one of us. Is this relationship an 'on off' one too, based on our ability to keep up our side of the bargain? I would believe that the Lord gives of himself in the relationship unconditionally. After all, "while we were still sinners Christ died for us". This is not to minimize willful disobedience. But it take a whole weight off those of us who realize that we could never be 'good' enough for God's abiding. The truth is, he chooses to abide in me, in us, freely. God made our spirit to be his dwelling place. Awesome truth. He is working on that inner place to make it more and more beautiful and graceful. He does ask our cooperation ("abide in me, keep my word") but the process has been started by him and will continue as long as we desire his presence in our lives. This removes a whole lot of 'shoulds' from our shoulders. This, as an author on spirituality wrote, prevents the "Good News" from becoming "good advice" (that leaves us always feeling lacking and not good enough)
God abides in me, out of love, unconditionally. If I keep that truth before me, it will become easier to allow pruning (painful but lovingly done) and to wait patiently as fruit is tended and nurtured. The harvest will come.
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2 comments:
Dear Lilian, thank you for this timely reminder. Other day, Timmy was reading with me 1 Jn 3:10-17, and then he asked, "Am I not a child of God?" He explained that he's always so disobedient and wanting his way. I told him that as long as he recognises what he's done wrong, he needs to confess that to God, ask for forgiveness and then try not to repeat the sin. I guess I should have also reaffirmed with him that since Jesus is in his heart, he will, and in time, learn to be as obedient to Jesus, because that is what Jesus wants of us. Thanks. Will let him know once he comes to disturb my peace!!!!
God bless.
Hi Oli, I do delight in your joy of having Timmy to love and share your godly wisdom with. Remember too to give and get all the hugs you can. When they grow up, it will be more difficult (almost impossible at times)to. I believe children's questions can and do deepen our own thoughts about what our faith is really about.
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