ListenDaily - 27 May 2009: One in the Three
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:15-21 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Part of this passage very much echoes what we studied in John 8, where Jesus talked about 'abiding in His teaching'. Here He implores us to keep His commandments.
Then He makes a promise -- that He will intercede for us and that the Father will send the Spirit to abide with us. The language here is beautiful:
“...the Father...will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you...
...I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you...you will see Me.
...you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
...And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
The Son reaches out to the Father, who sends the Spirit to us, each of us -- to you if you ask. The Spirit abides in you. The Spirit is the Spirit of Truth; the Truth is Jesus.
We have read that we can abide in Jesus, and He in us.
Jesus said that He and the Father are one.
And there you are, right in the middle; Father, Son, Spirit, and you.
Abide...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How do you think it feels to live right in the midst of the Father, Son, and Spirit? 2. How do you imagine this? 3. Do you find this comforting?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"How many are quite unworthy to see the light,
and yet the day dawns."
Seneca
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
ListenDaily - 22 May 2009: You should not abide...
ListenDaily - 22 May 2009: You should not abide...
"Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." John 12:42-46 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Wow, I have read this passage before, but never from this perspective. In the passage from John 8 we read about people who believed in Jesus yet listened to Satan's lies. In this passage we read about those who believed in Him and yet were more concerned about what other people thought. "Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God..." How frustrating that must have been for the One who came to lay down His life; that those for whom He would die would defer to those who did not even care about them. Lord, may we not be guilty of this offense.
“Then Jesus cried out..." How important this is! It caused Jesus to 'cry out'!
“Then Jesus cried out and said 'He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” This phrase; “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” is very thought provoking. Jesus provided, and provides, the Light so that we no longer have to be in darkness. The Light of the world has come, and is available to all believers.
However, as we see in this passage, Jesus was driven to cry out to those who believed and yet were not living in the light! This is a danger for us as well. Just as we have seen earlier that we could believe and not be free, we can also believe and not move out of the darkness. And Jesus warns us; "...whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” Should not! Don't do it! Do not stay in the darkness anymore...do not abide in the darkness any longer. Jesus cries out to us still -- step out into the light and stay there...abide there.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does loving "he praise of men more than the praise of God" affect believers today? How does it affect you? Your church? 2. Do you think it is possible to believe in Jesus and remain in the darkness? 3. What does it take to move into the light?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"As in the candle I know there is both light and heat,
but put out the candle, and they are both gone."
John Selden
"If the whole universe has no meaning,
we should never have found that it has no meaning:
just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes,
we should never know it was dark."
C.S. Lewis
"The issue is now clear. It is between light and darkness
and everyone must choose his side."
G.K. Chesterton
"How many are quite unworthy to see the light,
and yet the day dawns."
Seneca
"Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." John 12:42-46 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Wow, I have read this passage before, but never from this perspective. In the passage from John 8 we read about people who believed in Jesus yet listened to Satan's lies. In this passage we read about those who believed in Him and yet were more concerned about what other people thought. "Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God..." How frustrating that must have been for the One who came to lay down His life; that those for whom He would die would defer to those who did not even care about them. Lord, may we not be guilty of this offense.
“Then Jesus cried out..." How important this is! It caused Jesus to 'cry out'!
“Then Jesus cried out and said 'He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” This phrase; “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” is very thought provoking. Jesus provided, and provides, the Light so that we no longer have to be in darkness. The Light of the world has come, and is available to all believers.
However, as we see in this passage, Jesus was driven to cry out to those who believed and yet were not living in the light! This is a danger for us as well. Just as we have seen earlier that we could believe and not be free, we can also believe and not move out of the darkness. And Jesus warns us; "...whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” Should not! Don't do it! Do not stay in the darkness anymore...do not abide in the darkness any longer. Jesus cries out to us still -- step out into the light and stay there...abide there.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How does loving "he praise of men more than the praise of God" affect believers today? How does it affect you? Your church? 2. Do you think it is possible to believe in Jesus and remain in the darkness? 3. What does it take to move into the light?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"As in the candle I know there is both light and heat,
but put out the candle, and they are both gone."
John Selden
"If the whole universe has no meaning,
we should never have found that it has no meaning:
just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes,
we should never know it was dark."
C.S. Lewis
"The issue is now clear. It is between light and darkness
and everyone must choose his side."
G.K. Chesterton
"How many are quite unworthy to see the light,
and yet the day dawns."
Seneca
Friday, May 22, 2009
ListenDaily - 22 May 2009: Abiding forever
ListenDaily - 22 May 2009: Abiding forever
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. ” John 8:31-3653-58 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
We have talked at length about a portion of these verses, but since the 'abiding' thought is used repeatedly I would like to take another look at this passage as a whole, from the 'abiding' perspective.
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him..."
This message was for those who had already come to Christ. This, then, is not an evangelism message, but one of discipleship, knowledge, and freedom.
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
We have talked about these particular verses at length, but again, abiding in His Word is the key to discipleship, knowledge, and freedom.
They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
We see that these people, already believers, still failed to recognize the bondage in which they were held captive. They believed in Jesus, yet still believed Satan's lies. Should we not examine ourselves to see if weare in the same predicament? For Jesus went on to say:
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
So all of them, and all of us, have been enslaved. The question we must ask ourselves is this; have we begun the freedom process by abiding in His Word?
And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.
This is Good News! We are not freed then turned out on our own; No! We are taken in as children of the King, to live with Him forever!
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. ”
This freedom does not come about by our doing. The only thing we can do is abide...abide...abide in His Word and let Him in to free us -- and praise God He will!
"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
This is Good News! Taking part in Him leads us to eternity with Him.
"For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. Abiding brings us to oneness with Christ, and therefore oneness with all who abide.
Oh, Spirit still my soul that I may abide;
Jesus let me abide in you, and, please Lord, come abide in me.
Father, thank you for welcoming me as through Your Son and Spirit I come to abide with you...forever.
Amen.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'abiding' mean to you? 2. How does 'abiding by' compare to 'abiding in'? 3. Do you have any questions?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"But the soul renounced shall abide in
the boundlessness of God's life.
This is liberty, this is prosperity.
The more we lose, the more we gain."
Watchman Nee
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. ” John 8:31-3653-58 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
We have talked at length about a portion of these verses, but since the 'abiding' thought is used repeatedly I would like to take another look at this passage as a whole, from the 'abiding' perspective.
"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him..."
This message was for those who had already come to Christ. This, then, is not an evangelism message, but one of discipleship, knowledge, and freedom.
“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
We have talked about these particular verses at length, but again, abiding in His Word is the key to discipleship, knowledge, and freedom.
They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”
We see that these people, already believers, still failed to recognize the bondage in which they were held captive. They believed in Jesus, yet still believed Satan's lies. Should we not examine ourselves to see if weare in the same predicament? For Jesus went on to say:
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
So all of them, and all of us, have been enslaved. The question we must ask ourselves is this; have we begun the freedom process by abiding in His Word?
And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.
This is Good News! We are not freed then turned out on our own; No! We are taken in as children of the King, to live with Him forever!
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. ”
This freedom does not come about by our doing. The only thing we can do is abide...abide...abide in His Word and let Him in to free us -- and praise God He will!
"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
This is Good News! Taking part in Him leads us to eternity with Him.
"For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. Abiding brings us to oneness with Christ, and therefore oneness with all who abide.
Oh, Spirit still my soul that I may abide;
Jesus let me abide in you, and, please Lord, come abide in me.
Father, thank you for welcoming me as through Your Son and Spirit I come to abide with you...forever.
Amen.
Abide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'abiding' mean to you? 2. How does 'abiding by' compare to 'abiding in'? 3. Do you have any questions?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"But the soul renounced shall abide in
the boundlessness of God's life.
This is liberty, this is prosperity.
The more we lose, the more we gain."
Watchman Nee
Thursday, May 21, 2009
ListenDaily - 21 May 2009: Abiding in Christ
ListenDaily - 21 May 2009: Abiding in Christ
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” John 6:53-58 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Wow, there is power in these words -- convicting, creative, life-giving, eternal, true power.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." No one can say that Jesus could not be direct! He says here, quite clearly, that without taking part in Him, you are dead. Period. But the Good News is...
"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." This is Good News! Taking part in Him leads us to eternity with Him.
"For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed." There is, obviously, much more to be said about the Flesh and Blood of Christ. But for our purpose today, it is sufficient to say that Christ provides the spiritual food and drink that we need to live. Without Him, our soul suffers the same fate that our bodies would without food -- first hunger, then starvation, and, eventually, death.
He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. And so, here we are. Abiding. Abiding in Him -- and Christ abiding in us! A process of transformation and conformation, whereby we become more and more who He is; not just copying Him -- but becoming part of His Body. And this 'becoming part of the Body' is not a metaphor! It is...
...abiding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'abiding' mean to you? 2. How does 'abiding by' compare to 'abiding in'? 3. Do you have any questions?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"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
"But the soul renounced shall abide in the boundlessness of God's life.
This is liberty, this is prosperity. The more we lose, the more we gain."
Watchman Nee
"If we then let the words of Christ abide in us,
they will stir us up in prayer."
Reuben Archer Torrey
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” John 6:53-58 NKJV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
Wow, there is power in these words -- convicting, creative, life-giving, eternal, true power.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." No one can say that Jesus could not be direct! He says here, quite clearly, that without taking part in Him, you are dead. Period. But the Good News is...
"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." This is Good News! Taking part in Him leads us to eternity with Him.
"For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed." There is, obviously, much more to be said about the Flesh and Blood of Christ. But for our purpose today, it is sufficient to say that Christ provides the spiritual food and drink that we need to live. Without Him, our soul suffers the same fate that our bodies would without food -- first hunger, then starvation, and, eventually, death.
He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. And so, here we are. Abiding. Abiding in Him -- and Christ abiding in us! A process of transformation and conformation, whereby we become more and more who He is; not just copying Him -- but becoming part of His Body. And this 'becoming part of the Body' is not a metaphor! It is...
...abiding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'abiding' mean to you? 2. How does 'abiding by' compare to 'abiding in'? 3. Do you have any questions?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"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
"But the soul renounced shall abide in the boundlessness of God's life.
This is liberty, this is prosperity. The more we lose, the more we gain."
Watchman Nee
"If we then let the words of Christ abide in us,
they will stir us up in prayer."
Reuben Archer Torrey
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
ListenDaily - 16 May 2009: Abide f
ListenDaily - 16 May 2009: Abide
Where the New International Version of the Bible uses the words 'remain' or 'hold to', the New King James Version often uses 'abide'. The thrust of the meaning, I believe, stays the same when used in context.
But I just like the word 'abide'.
To define 'abide', the dictionary uses phrases like: "to wait for", "to endure", "to remain stable", "to continue in a place", "to conform or acquiesce to", "to live in". As we have studied John 8: 31-32; “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” I have become intrigued with the idea of abiding. Jesus taught repeatedly about this idea. He talked about abiding in Him, abiding in His Word, abiding forever, not abiding in darkness, abiding with His Holy Spirit, abiding in the vine, His Word abiding in us, and abiding in His love.
So then, what might it mean to wait for Christ, to endure with Him, to remain stable in and because of Him, and to continue in Him? What would it mean to conform to Him, acquiesce to Him, to live in Him?
Abide.
Let's take a few days and look at Jesus words about abiding.
Let us abide in those words.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'abiding' mean to you? 2. How does 'abiding by' compare to 'abiding in'? 3. Do you have any questions?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
Abide With Me
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Henry F. Lyte
Where the New International Version of the Bible uses the words 'remain' or 'hold to', the New King James Version often uses 'abide'. The thrust of the meaning, I believe, stays the same when used in context.
But I just like the word 'abide'.
To define 'abide', the dictionary uses phrases like: "to wait for", "to endure", "to remain stable", "to continue in a place", "to conform or acquiesce to", "to live in". As we have studied John 8: 31-32; “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” I have become intrigued with the idea of abiding. Jesus taught repeatedly about this idea. He talked about abiding in Him, abiding in His Word, abiding forever, not abiding in darkness, abiding with His Holy Spirit, abiding in the vine, His Word abiding in us, and abiding in His love.
So then, what might it mean to wait for Christ, to endure with Him, to remain stable in and because of Him, and to continue in Him? What would it mean to conform to Him, acquiesce to Him, to live in Him?
Abide.
Let's take a few days and look at Jesus words about abiding.
Let us abide in those words.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'abiding' mean to you? 2. How does 'abiding by' compare to 'abiding in'? 3. Do you have any questions?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
Abide With Me
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Henry F. Lyte
Friday, May 15, 2009
ListenDaily - 15 May 2009: The Means and the Endeaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
Thursday, May 14, 2009
ListenDaily - 14 May 2009: EQUATIONS
ListenDaily - 14 May 2009: EQUATIONS
Jesus said, "If you hold to 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)
This is like a series of algebraic equations:
ABIDING = DISCIPLESHIP
DISCIPLESHIP = KNOWING TRUTH
KNOWING TRUTH = BEING SET FREE
If you remember algebra (sorry if that's a bad memory!), whatever you do to one side of an equation, you must do to the other:
if x = y, and you make one side negative, you must make the other side negative to remain equal, -x = -y. So then;
IF YOU DO NOT ABIDE = YOU CANNOT BE A DISCIPLE
IF YOU ARE NOT A DISCIPLE = YOU CANNOT KNOW THE TRUTH
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE TRUTH = YOU ARE NOT FREE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does this say about freedom? 2. What is your take on this? 3. Do you feel like you know about the Truth or know the Truth?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"The Jews looked upon a serpent to be freed from serpents;
and we look upon the death of Christ to be delivered from death."
Augustine
"The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God."
C.S. Lewis
Jesus said, "If you hold to 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)
This is like a series of algebraic equations:
ABIDING = DISCIPLESHIP
DISCIPLESHIP = KNOWING TRUTH
KNOWING TRUTH = BEING SET FREE
If you remember algebra (sorry if that's a bad memory!), whatever you do to one side of an equation, you must do to the other:
if x = y, and you make one side negative, you must make the other side negative to remain equal, -x = -y. So then;
IF YOU DO NOT ABIDE = YOU CANNOT BE A DISCIPLE
IF YOU ARE NOT A DISCIPLE = YOU CANNOT KNOW THE TRUTH
IF YOU DO NOT KNOW THE TRUTH = YOU ARE NOT FREE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does this say about freedom? 2. What is your take on this? 3. Do you feel like you know about the Truth or know the Truth?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"The Jews looked upon a serpent to be freed from serpents;
and we look upon the death of Christ to be delivered from death."
Augustine
"The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God."
C.S. Lewis
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