ABIDE IN CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in darkness.”  1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle John, under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit of God, to all believers.  John begins this second chapter of his first letter telling them not to sin, but if they sin, Jesus, The Christ, and The Son of God, is their atoning sacrifice and their advocate to God, The Father. (1 John 2:1-2)  Then he says that they will know that they know Christ if they keep His commands.  Anyone who claims to know Christ but does not keep His commands is a liar. (1 John 2:3-6)  John also says that he is writing them to remind them of an old command.  Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother or sister is still in darkness. (1 John 2:7-11)  He also tells them not to love the world or anything in the world.  Anyone who loves the world cannot love God, The Father. (1 John 2:15-17)  He warns them not to deny Christ and then tells them about the antichrist. (1 Peter 2:18-23)  He ends by saying that he is writing these things to them because there are those among them who would lead them astray and he wants them to continue in Christ. (1 John 2:26-29)

 

APPLICATION

As believers we are not just to avoid sin, we are also to advocate following Christ.  We are to tell people about Christ, and we are to live and behave in such a way that people will see Christ in us.  Since our actions speak louder than our words, our walk must be consistent with our talk.  Our actions and our conversation should be different from those who are not saved, and our worldly friends who knew us beforehand should see a change in us as compared to before we accepted Christ.  Remember, the world and its desires will soon pass away. (1 John 2:17)

 

THE LIFE WE LIVE SHOULD REFLECT OUR CONNECTION TO CHRIST

Proclamation:

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Colossae.  Paul began this second chapter by telling them that he wanted to encourage them so that they may have complete understanding.  He did not want them to be deceived and misled by the eloquent arguments of false teachers. (Colossians 2:4)  He wanted them to live their lives for Christ, to be grounded and strengthened in Him, and to be full of thanksgiving.  He ended this chapter by advising them not to be concerned if the world judged them by what they ate or drank, or their lack of attendance at Jewish festivals, or not following Jewish traditions.  They were free from the rules of the world and were tied to Christ. (Colossians 2:16-23)

Application:

Our salvation is not determined by our works, it is a gift of God because of our belief in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:9-10)  Our Christian walk is an outward demonstration of our inward conviction and the indwelling of The Holy Spirit.  Christ is our foundation and our life is built upon Him.  Our behavior in this world is to be based upon our faith in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:7)  It is not possible for us to grow in knowledge of Him without being rooted in Him.  Apart from Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5)  As we grow in Him we are strengthened by Him, and we should be grateful and thankful that we have been blessed by Him.

I AM The Vine

"I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing."  John 15:5 (NIV)

This is the seventh and final of the great "I AM" statements recorded by the Apostle John, which Jesus, The Christ, spoke to His disciples.  Here Jesus said "I AM The Vine."  He said that only those who believe in Him, are connected to Him, and they will be productive and bear good fruit.

We know that only branches which are connected to the main vine will continue to thrive and bear fruit.  Those branches which are cut off from the main vine will perish.  Jesus is The main vine, without our connection to Him, we are powerless, and unable to do or produce anything.  Belief in Jesus and abiding in Him is proof of our salvation.  To abide in Him means to have a continuing and ongoing daily personal relationship with Him that involves faith, trust, prayer, obedience, and joy. (John 15:10-11)  If we abide in Him, then we will be productive and do a good work. (Ephesians 2:10 & Hebrews 13:16)  We will bear much fruit and glorify God if, and only if, The Word of God is within us. (John 15:8)  As believers, we need to read and study The Word of God. (2 Timothy 2:15)  The more that we do this, the more good fruit we will bear.