ABIDING: ABSOLUTE THINKING

Joh 15:1-10

The word “abide” speaks of perfect provision, supply, sustenance, fellowship — at home-ness! (Deu. 33:27) “The eternal God is our dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms…(v. Deu. 33:28) so Israel dwells in security…in a land of grain and new wine.” (Note absolutes)

“Abide” in (Joh 15:4) is an aorist imperative (ingressive) — a command possible at all times because of absolute provisions. (Psa. 90:1-2b) “Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations…even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.”

There is never a time or condition under which the child of God may not “abide.” (Psa. 91:1) “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say (volitional) to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust (Batach — body slam, 1Pe. 5:7)!'” (vs. Psa. 91:4) “He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness (absolute) is a shield and bulwark.” (cf vs. Psa. 91:5-6) (vs. Psa. 91:9-10a) “For you have made the Lord, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place. No evil will befall you.”

The key to abiding is living in the reality of Absolute Divine Provisions. (Joh 13:17) “If you know these things (4 absolutes — salvation, security, spirituality, service), you are blessed (joy) if you do them.” (i.e.: Live by them)

“Abiding” means there is total provision for every need of every believer at every point of his life. (Psa. 23:1-5) “The Lord is my Shepherd, I cannot lack… My cup overflows.” (Jam. 1:2-4) “Consider it all joy my brethern, when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Earthly problems are temporal and variable, but Divine solutions are absolute. (Gen. 50:20) “You meant it to me for evil, but God meant it to me for good.” (Rom. 8:28) “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God (abide) and are called according to His purpose.” Loneliness, emptiness, weakness, helplessness, failure, defeat, scorn, contempt — all bid us “Abide in Him.” The pain of defeat, shame of sin remind us of the price of not abiding!

The only time Jesus Christ is at home in us is when we abide in Him. (Eph. 3:16-17) “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory (absolute provisions), to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may be at home in your hearts through faith…”



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