Abide IN Me, and I IN you.

Hello To All:

If we are to go deeper in our understanding, of the relationship between believing and obeying, then we must, first, go deeper in our comprehension and apprehension, of our union with Jesus Christ.

This forum seeks to promote victorious discipleship IN Jesus Christ. I have capitalized IN, both here and in the title, for this blog - because it is the IN part that is the most difficult to comprehend and to apprehend. Most of us are very uncomfortable, when we are confronted with the deep mystery of: "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). But, we cannot be victorious, without first embracing, the very pervasive and much spoken of truth, contained in the King's Book, regarding our eternal union with Jesus Christ.

For those of you who might be regular readers of this blog, you will recognize, that the truth of our union with Jesus Christ, is often referenced - especially with regards to its importance in our quest for victorious discipleship. At this point, in your reading of this posting, it might be helpful to review some of the earlier postings. I recommend the following:

1. (1/25/10) "Christ in you: the hope of glory."
2. (1/28/10) "The mystery of Jesus: Indwelling and Manifesting."
3. (2/8/10) "The transcendental reality of victorious discipleship."

Our text, for today's posting, is recorded at John 15:1-8 (The word "in," when it appears with regards to our union with Jesus Christ, will be capitalized): "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (2) Every branch IN me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (3) Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (4) Abide IN me, and I IN you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide IN the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide IN me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth IN me, and I IN him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (6) If a man abide not IN me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (7) If ye abide IN me, and my words abide IN you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."

I count ten times, when the word "in" is used to reference, some aspect of our union with Jesus Christ. Hopefully, this has your attention - I know that it has mine. I struggle with the same realities, that you, my brethren, struggle with. This matter of our union with Jesus Christ, is a great mystery for all of us - including those who have gone before us. But, be encouraged - it is not our understanding that brings us victory. There are many, who claim to understand the things of God; and yet, they do not have any significant victory. Our limited understanding, must be completed by believing. Victory comes by believing! Jesus understands every aspect of our union with Him - that should be sufficient for us. Our task is to understand, that our union with Him, is a reality; and then, our task is to submit to this reality; and then, our task is to embrace this reality: This is the road to victory!

This would be a good place to stop. We need time to pray about and give serious consideration to the "IN" aspect of our victorious discipleship in Jesus Christ. While we ponder this "IN" reality - let us do so with the help of another quote, from the King's Book, found at First Corinthians 3:16, where it is written: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth IN (emphasis added) you."

Until next time, by beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus