When striving to find the way to abide in Christ from moment to moment, remember that the gateway is: Abide in Him at this present moment.
Instead of wasting effort in trying to get into a state that will last, just remember that it is Christ Himself, the living, loving Lord, who alone can keep you, and is waiting to do so. Begin at once and act faith in Him for the present moment: this is the only way to be kept the next. To attain the life of permanent and perfect abiding is not ordinarily given at once as a possession for the future: it comes mostly step by step.
Avail thyself, therefore, of every opportunity of exercising the trust of the present moment. Each time thou bowest in prayer, let there first be an act of simple devotion: “Father, I am in Christ; I now abide in Him.” Each time thou hast, amidst the bustle of duty, the opportunity of self-recollection, let its first involuntary act be: “I am still in Christ, abiding in Him now.”
Even when overtaken by sin, and the heart within is all disturbed and excited, 0 let thy first look upwards be with the word “Father, I have sinned ; and yet I come-—though I blush to say it-—as one who is in Christ. Father! here I am; I can take no other place; of God I am in Christ; I now abide in Christ.” Yes, Christian, in every possible circumstance, every moment of the day, the voice is calling, Abide in me: do it now. And even now, as thou art reading this, 0 come at once, and enter upon the blessed life of always abiding, by doing it at once: do it now.
From Abide in Christ (1884) by Andrew Murray.
Leave A Comment