Systematic Theology

Writing a Fundamental and Biblical Systematic Theology for the 21st Century REGISTER to comment at www.theology.gsbaptistchurch.com/wp-login.php?action=register

Msg #1702 Abide IN Him

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan’s Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

There are things one can do to improve relationships this year. Lines of communication need to be improved. Showing affections and feelings needs some practice. Making effort to spend more time together is always commendable. The latter, the time together thing, would be called abiding together, and Jesus commanded it of us. “I am the true vine and my Father is the husbandman…. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine” (John 15:1,4). In the military, with frequent TDYs that took me from family weeks at a time, abiding together took on a new urgency. Ninety-five percent of marriages broke during remote tours. But abiding is bigger than living together, or even being together. Jesus stressed “Abide IN me, and I IN you.” When born-again, one is baptized into Christ (wholly immersed into), and indwelt by the Only Begotten Son of God. It is a permanent arrangement. He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” It is, however, possible that a born-again one might step out on Christ, to not abide with him, to, as it were, excuse themselves from his presence while they go out on their Ranger Bass boat, or their white-tail deer hunting trip. We need to make it a practice to consciously ask His permission before we step out. “Excuse me Lord, I am going on this drunken binge and I will be back in a few days.” See how that works out for you. No… abiding in him means we keep our mind stayed on him. That is why God directed, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:because he trusteth in thee.” Don’t step out on the Lord Jesus Christ, abide in him.

An Essay for week #2 Jan 8, 2017

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs170108.mp3

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