If a man abide not in Me: part three

Hello To All:

What choice have we made this day? Have we chosen, in the words of Christ, to "abide in Me;" or, have we chosen, in the words of Christ, to "abide not in Me?" It is a choice that we make each day of our lives. To "abide," in the context of John chapter fifteen, essentially means to remain or to continue: it always involves choice! Choice always involves believing and obeying: "thou shalt not eat of it" - "a blessing if ye obey" - "a curse if ye not obey" - "choose you this day whom you will serve" - "we will serve the Lord." The full text, containing these quotes, can be found at the posting titled: "If a man abide not in Me: part two." Again, we must ask: what choice have we made this day?

In our text (John 15:1-8), the Lord our God makes a choice, that, not just should, but better get our attention. If we ignore the choice that God our Father makes - we may find ourselves amongst those who were once followers of Jesus Christ; but now, are amongst the lost! As we consider God's choice, let us also consider these words of Jesus Christ, recorded in Matthew 12:30, where we find written: "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." Please note - there are only two positions, in this life: we are either with Jesus Christ or we are against Jesus Christ. There is no middle ground. There are only two choices to make. Let us be reminded, once again, of those words of Joshua: "Choose you this day, whom you shall serve."

We find written, at John 15:1-2 (New King James Translation of the King's Book), the following: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."

He takes away. That action, on the part of the Lord our God, is an act of judgement. In this context, judgement involves eternal consequences. Look to verse 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." The branch that does not bear fruit (verse 1) is also the branch that does not abide (verse 6). The Father's judgement is to "take away" and "cast forth as a branch."

That branch that no longer abides, that is - the branch that no longer bears fruit: this is the one that is no longer in union with Jesus Christ. This is the branch that "withers." It withers, because it has chosen, in the words of Christ, to: "abide not in Me." That branch, that is, the withered branch is "gathered" and "cast into the fire" and "burned." This is a terrifying picture of eternal judgement and separation from the Lord our God. This is a picture that should strike us deeply and compel us to say: Lord have mercy - Christ have mercy - Lord have mercy! This is a picture, that should cause us to cry out: Lord Jesus Christ - empower me to make right choices - keep me as an abiding and fruit bearing branch. Keep me, as your abiding disciple, for all of eternity. Amen and Amen and Amen!

It is written (John 10:27-28): "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."

The time is at hand for us to bring some closure to this question of: Can we loose our salvation? The evidence, thus far presented, from the King's Book, says yes. And then we come to the above passage, from John chapter ten; and the wonderful promise: "...they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." This is an absolute promise, from our Lord Jesus Christ; and an absolute statement, regarding the eternal realities of our "abiding" in Jesus Christ. It would seem, at first look, that the answer of yes, to the question, is invalid. It would seem, at first look, that the evidence presented, from the King's Book, to support the answer of yes, has been one sided; and has failed to include the whole counsel of God.

If I have presented a biased view of the King's Book - then surely I have sinned. And, I must admit, that as we look at the wonderful promise - "neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" - it would seem, at first look, that there is strong evidence to support the view that I have sinned in presenting a, supposedly, biased view of the truth, regarding the question at hand. But, if we limit ourselves to first looks, we increase the possibility, that we will be deceived.

We often come to the King's Book, pre-disposed to a certain viewpoint; and because of our predisposition, we will only see what supports our view. If we are to be set free, by the truth of God's Word, then we need to leave our biases on the throne room floor; and then look to Jesus to show us the truth.

Let us take a closer look, at our text, from John chapter ten, and look to verse 27: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me..." The ones who can claim the wonderful and eternal promise, are the ones who: hear His voice - are known by Him - and they follow Him. Let us be reminded, that to "follow Him," is a matter of choice; and choice, necessarily demands the freedom to choose.

The Lord our God, sovereignly promises, that no one can take us from Him - but, we cannot claim the promise unless we are following Him. Here, once again, we are challenged with the tension, from our perspective, between the sovereignty of God and the freewill of man. But, my beloved, here is the most wonderful of realities: From God's perspective, there is no tension. The Lord our God, understands how it is possible for Him to be absolutely sovereign, that is to say: God is able to be absolutely in control of all things and still give us the ability and the freedom to choose. And, in that God given freedom, we can choose to, in the words of Christ: "abide in Me." We can also choose to, in the words of Christ: "abide not in Me." With one choice we have life. With the other choice - we have lost our salvation.

It is not necessary for us to be able to understand the how of this. This is a mystery that we must accept and rejoice in. It should be enough for us, that God understands this. It should be enough for us, that the how is not a problem for Him. In God's understanding we can and should find peace. In God's understanding, we can and should rejoice in the promise of eternal life that is made to all who "follow" Jesus Christ. In God's understanding, we can further rejoice, because He not only gives us the promise of eternal life, in and through His Son Jesus Christ; but, He also empowers us, in and through His Son Jesus Christ, to follow Him; and thus, to be able to claim that promise of eternal life. Can we say: Thank you Jesus!

In closing, let us return to our text, and look, once again, at verse five: "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that aideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

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

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus