Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the almighty. -- Psalm 91: 1 (NLT)
Not those who visit the shelter of the Most High. We need to reign in this propensity we have to be visiting Christians. If we ever expect to find rest in this life we need to be abiding Christians. As the definition says we need to continue. We do not continue very well sometimes. We take breaks from God. The problem is the devil never takes a break from us. Too often we try to fit Jesus into our lives instead of making our life to be about Christ. God doesn't want to be scheduled beloved. He isn't an appointment. When we try to fit Him in, He can become a chore -- something we feel we have to do, or should do. We then can start to feel as if we are doing Him the favor! Sound ridiculous? Think about it. There are a lot of people who feel they do the church a favor by attending and tithing. When we try to fit Jesus into our lives He is not first. If God is not first in your life -- what is? Who is? There are only two kingdoms and two choices beloved. By default you are serving one of them.
But when Christ is your life then you will find yourself abiding in Him. Using the definition, let us see the benefit then. First of all we will continue in the relationship with God and watch as it develops. This is what we have already discussed but there remain two other facets of the definition we will continue in. We will continue in the condition of Christ. We often times confuse our position in this world with our condition in Christ. Our condition is that we are a saved child of the Creator of the universe. We have been granted eternal life now -- not later. Our name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life and our sins have been forgiven. That is a heck of a condition! Realize today that this condition is unconditional! Nothing will change God's mind:
Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,p]"> neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. -- Romans 8: 35-39 (NLT)
Read these promises and assurances again. When we face calamity (our position in the world) it does not change our condition (child of God). Look at the list of things that cannot possibly separate us from the love of the Father! That is what we continue in when we choose to abide in Christ. When we are a visitor we can tend to forget these things too easily. We focus too much on our position in the world and lose the perspective of our condition in Christ.
We also get to continue in a Christ-like attitude when we abide in Christ. Paul's letter to the Church at Philippi defines this for us:
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. -- Philippians 2: 1-5 (NLT)
When we choose to live in Christ we are encouraged and comforted; two things sorely lacking in this world. We get to continue in being loving and selfless -- not caring about trying to impress people. Ulterior motives do not exist -- only serving God does. Humility marks our way and caring about others becomes our calling card.
Lastly from the key verse we see an important principle outlined by God. We cannot generate fruit unless we abide in Christ. He is the vine. He is the source. He is the provider. Why would God put this disclaimer here? Because He knows full well the depravity of man and our tendency to try and do things ourselves. The truth is that God knew full well that our pride would lead us to try and fake fruit. One of my favorite stories from the Book of Acts involves the Seven Sons of Sceva.
A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, "I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!" Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, "I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?" Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered. -- Acts 19: 13-16 (NLT)
