Abiding IN Christ Obviously one can not “abide IN Christ” if one has not put Christ ON.  Unfortunately most today who call themselves Christians according to the Bible have not yet put Christ ON and therefore it is not possible for them to abide IN Christ or continue/live IN Christ.  We learn in Galatians 3:26-27 of the essentiality of possessing faith in Christ Jesus.  Those who possess this faith are all sons (children) of God.  These children of God in an obvious and matter of factly way were baptized (immersed in water) to enter into their covenant relationship with Christ.  In expressing their faith, love, and trust this way these have PUT ON CHRIST. You see, when we PUT ON CHRIST we are changed by God or as Jesus says, we are “born again (anew).”  Jesus speaks with authority in John 3:7 and gives his followers no choice in this matter when he says, “You MUST be born again.”  It is a MUST because unless one is BORN AGAIN in (through) Christ then one can not ABIDE (live in) Christ.   Your soul and my soul have a dwelling place it is presently within our clay frame.  Our souls are influenced by the spiritual realm made up of things from God and things from the devil.  The Christian rejoices in the idea of no longer being in charge of their lives.  They have a new Lord.  They have died to self-will and are alive now to the will of Jesus (Gal. 2:20).  This understanding takes such a burden off of us and puts us on such a firm footing to experience the abundant life.  We know who we are.  We know who loves us and died for us.  We know we are in Him and that He is in us.  This real relationship empowers us to experience with victory whatever life throws at us.   The intimacy we are to have with Christ is found in our consuming Christ (Jn. 6:56; 14:20).  When we seek to satisfy this imagery then we truly do have this mutual indwelling by us abiding in Him and by Him abiding in us.  In John 15:2- 7 Jesus is speaking to his disciples and he teaches them to abide in him.  (Continued on page 2) (Continued from page 1)  He teaches if we choose to do this that he will choose also to abide in us.  What a support system.  What a great idea that we should be so blessed and equipped for life. By default all of us are alienated from God because we have chosen to sin.  However, if anyone is IN Christ, they are a new creation; old things have passed away; observe, all things have become new. (2 Cor. 5:17).   You see the born again do not just do a little religious thing a few times a week as if they are doing God a favor.   The born again have a 24/7 lifestyle that enriches and blesses them.  The Christian is not into tokenism or game playing.  Christians used to be this way but those born again are changed, constantly refreshed in the exciting process of change for the better.  Christ through His word does the real work here.  Our part is simply to yield and cooperate with our Lord and Master.   Now abiding IN Christ includes automatically on our part being part of his body, the church (His blood bought church).  Again, this is His idea, His provision for our needs.  The born again are thankful and appreciative of His provision for our needs.  We are thankful for this is His idea, even though we see the flaws in the church made up of folks like you and me.  Christ expresses his headship or leadership over all things to (through) the church, which is His body.  This church body is to bring to our attention the fullness of Christ who provides and satisfies all needs (Eph. 1:22, 23).   You know those outside of Christ who are not abiding in Him live a life of uncertainty.  They live and wishfully think positively.  All that is nice and has its place in this world.  However, if one does not die to self to become alive in Jesus that attitude will be worthless on judgment day.  You see there are a host of expectant positive thinkers out there today who think they are OK with God because of what their church, Pope, pastor, or preacher says.  You must understand that on judgment day none of these things will count.  The only thing that will count is if one is IN CHRIST.  Christ saves!  Not churches, Popes, pastors, or preachers.  Where are you living spiritually today?  Your answer has to be IN CHRIST.  We must respect other answers but we also must know that IN CHRIST is the only one that will count on judgment day.   I know what I have just said is a “narrow way” and sadly but truly, few are they that ever fully understand this (Matt. 7: 13-14).  Those who stand firm IN CHRIST are often maligned and spoken evil of because of our closeness to Christ.   We must not allow these negatives to compromise our commitment to Christ.  It is His word, it is His doctrine, and He is our Master.  We are bold, and unashamed to declare his whole counsel because we ABIDE IN CHRIST! Consider now the song, “Abide With Me” as you meditate on the words: Abide with me: fast falls the even tide; The darkness deepens: Lord with me abide! When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me!