Abiding in Christ

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4. As followers of Jesus we are ask to bear fruit for the kingdom. We cannot do this on our own powers, we need the help of the Holy Spirit Who gives us the strength to overcome the world with it’s many distractions. Being a disciple and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ is not always easy. Living in this fallen world with the many distractions that bombard us daily can cause the believer to get side tracked. The world with it’s lies is at war with the believer everyday. The flesh and the desires of the flesh war against the Spirit. “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Gal 5:17. As Christian we are in a battle and Satan who is the prince of this world is relentless in his pursuit to make us stumble and fall and to buy into his deception. We need to put on the whole armor of God and go into battle against his wicked schemes. The world and it’s wisdom never satisfies or fulfills, it may look like it for a little while, but in the end it leaves emptiness and sorrows. So many are addicted to drugs and alcohol, pornography is destroying marriages and the riches and glamor of this world hold people captives. All these promises the world makes ultimately do not fulfill and leaves people searching for more, trying to find the next fix. “For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world.” 1John 2:16. Many believers me included, have once walked in the way of the world and it’s desires, many of us have fallen into the trap and many of us did not know real peace. Thanks be to Jesus Who saved us from the world and the sins of the world. To those of us who know Jesus, know that He gives us true peace and as we abide in Him we can rejoice.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. The Christian walk is not always easy and from time time we may stumble and fall, but we have Jesus to see us through every situation that may come. We have the power of the Holy Spirit living within us and through His power we also can overcome the world and it’s lust. We can resist the temptations of this world just as Jesus did in the wilderness when Satan tempted Him with the very same things that we face today, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. If we abide in Jesus, we can do all things. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phl 4:13. Let us cling to Jesus, abide in Him and seek the kingdom and all things will be possible. Thank you Jesus for Your love and compassion, patience and long-suffering . Thank You that through You we can overcome and be victorious. You, unlike the world have told us to bring our burdens before you and that you will give us true rest.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Mat 11:28-30.