John 8:32 Abide in my word and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
"The condition of a sinner is that of a captive or a slave to sin. He is one who serves and obeys the dictates of an evil heart and the promptings of an evil nature." Do I obey what dictates my heart? What prompts me? Can I ever get rid of the evil? I will always bump up against your sin, bump up against the sins of those closest to me. You'll bump up against mine, unexpected. So, what do I do with that?
Because of Christ's work on the Cross, I can be set free. Either I am a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness. So, what does it look like for me to abide in the Word?
It is not thy hold on Christ that saves thee; it is Christ.
It is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee; it is Christ.
It is not even thy faith in Christ, though that be the instrument;
It is Christ's blood and merit. --Charles Haddon Spurgeon
You asked a good question today, Bev. As for me, I think the best I can hope for is a greater awareness, and sensitivity to the effect of my actions on others. As I grow older, I am learning to speak less, listen more. This is not to say I don't blow it, I often do. I notice it sooner and can't live with the hurt I've caused until I go to Him and ask for forgiveness. Through Christ all things are possible. I keep looking forward to what He has planned for me each day, and not living in fear of making mistakes.
ReplyDeleteFor me to abide in His Word it would be to surrender to Him again. I'm wrestling instead of trusting. His way wins always, so I don't know why I try to do it on my own. I'm giving myself a headache too!
ReplyDeleteSurrendering again,
John 8:58 (The Message) “Believe me,” said Jesus, “I am who I am long before Abraham was anything.”
ReplyDeleteJust barely can tiptoe to know this is so much bigger than I can grasp.
I so long for Him to be revealed fully.
His Name for Himself, the Triune God, "I AM" is so profound, and I have no words...
And to really know what abiding in His Word is--living in the smack dab middle of Truth, fully, all the time? All, I can say, is one glorious Day, we will know and fully be, free.