Abiding in Christ - Day 13 - Every Moment

In that day,
“A pleasant vineyard, sing of it!
I, the LORD, am its keeper;
every moment I water it.
Lest anyone punish it,
I keep it night and day; (Isaiah 27:2-3 ESV)

Is it possible for the believer to ALWAYS abide in Jesus?

If abiding is our work, done in our own strength, the answer is NO.

But if the Lord Himself keeps the soul day and night, watering it every moment, then uninterrupted communion with Jesus is indeed possible!  In fact, it is the spiritual walk every Christian ought to enjoy.

If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out. ~ John 15:6He who abides in Me bears much fruit. ~John 15:4-5

How do we abide in Christ?

• willing, intelligent, whole-hearted surrender
• accepting His offer, consenting to live in Him - ONLY!
• believing His promise that He keeps us moment by moment, every moment of our lives.

Nature of Man

We know that the natural man is sinful, and that we live in a sin-cursed world.  There are two objections raised when believers ponder how to always abide in Christ.

Objection 1  Our limited powers prevent us from being occupied with two things at the same moment.  How can a person be doing his work in full concentration on the task at hand while at the same time consciously abiding in Christ?  How can a mom who is washing the breakfast dishes with a toddler hanging onto her skirt and a 6-year old asking how to spell "machine" with the phone ringing in the background and the mailman at the door keep on abiding in Christ.  Wouldn't she have to withdraw herself from all the ordinary activities of life, and live in a monastery?

Answer  Abiding in Christ does not mean our minds must be engaged each moment, or directly occupied with abiding.

It is an entrusting of ourselves to the keeping of eternal  love, in the faith that it will abide near us. . . and watch over us, and ward off evil.  Our hearts then have rest, peace, and joy, knowing we are kept moment by moment.  Abiding in Christ is a settled trust that God is keeping us always.

A father who works all day has his family in mind as he tackles his occupation.  They aren't always first and foremost in his thoughts, but his love for them is what keeps him toiling to bring home the bacon.

A king who goes about his royal duties always acts under the consciousness of his royalty.

A mother never loses the sense of her responsibility to her husband and children, even when she is away from them and busy with other activities.

In the same way, we can always be aware that Everlasting love keeps us constantly.  We are IN CHRIST, kept in Him by HIS ALMIGHTY POWER.

Objection 2  We look upon the fact that we will sin daily as inevitable.  So how can we continuously abide in Christ?  We'll certainly fail and be unfaithful.

Answer This is precisely why we must abide in Christ as our sufficient - and ONLY - deliverance!  We must live in Christ, depending on HIM to live in us.  If we fail, we flee to Him, to confess and be forgiven and  filled anew with Him.

We've had poor examples in older Christians not living a life of faith and trust.  We've seen Christians despairing over health issues, finances, failed relationships, family issues.  Don't be like them!  Don't give in to despair!  It is possible to live in healthy, trusting, joyful consecration.

TO ABIDE UNCEASINGLY IN CHRIST IS THE PORTION

OF EVERY BELIEVER.

Every Moment

He keeps you every moment.  Do you believe this?

Moment by Moment

Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine;
Living with Jesus, a new life divine;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine.

Moment by moment, I'm kept in his love;
Moment by moment, I've life from above;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine.

Never a trial that he is not there,
Never a burden that he doth not bear,
Never a sorrow that he doth not share,
Moment by moment, I'm under his care.

Never a weakness that he doth not feel,
Never a sickness that he cannot heal;
Moment by moment, in woe or in weal,
Jesus my Saviour, abides with me still.