ListenDaily - 15 May 2009: The Means and the End
Jesus said, "If you hold to [or 'abide in'] my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV) John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
A dear friend wrote me yesterday with concern and a question about the "equations" I wrote about:
ABIDING = DISCIPLESHIP
DISCIPLESHIP = KNOWING TRUTH
KNOWING TRUTH = BEING SET FREE
The question was: "Jim...who among us can abide by his teachings 24/7, as we are all sinners?"
And oh how true that is!
I can easily see how, by that type of mathematical layout, that I might have confused that which I intended to make simple. But please remember, it is not 'abiding by'; it is "abiding in" -- and there is a huge difference. Certainly, there is an aspect of 'doing' here, but the focus is on 'being'. 'Abiding by' would be following a set of rules, a list, guidelines, as the means to the end. "Abiding in" is understanding that God is the end -- and the means.
"Abiding in" is about being in Jesus, no matter what you are doing. It is about "holding on" to Jesus -- and letting Him hold on to you.
"Abiding in" is not the first item on a to-do list, but a first step into being who He wants you to be.
"Abiding in" frees us to be His. We then act in response to being His, not in an effort to try and win or earn His affection.
"Abiding in" allows you to feel His love, His warmth. It is being attentive to His teaching, focusing on them as we do whatever we do, but the perspective is not our perfection but His.
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Questions:
1. Do you see a difference between 'abiding by' and 'abiding in'? 2. What is your take on this? 3. Do you have concerns about 'faith vs. works' issues??
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"The branch of the vine does not worry and toil,
and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain.
No; it rests in union and communion with the vine;
and at the right time, and in the right way,
is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus
Hudson Taylor
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