“Having Done All—Stand”

[NetChaplain]

What is lacking in the newly-reborn in Christ? In our possessions—nothing; but in our walk—much! In the outset of our faith we are given “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2Pe 1:3; Rom 8:32; 1Co 3:21), but during this babe-in-Christ stage (which all progress from) there is great lack in the believer’s walk in these blessings, for no new-born saint is readily matured with the ability to “walk, even as He walked” (1Jo 2:6).

No, we must be at the feet of the Lord’s Word (Luk 10:42), continually learning and receiving from Him the manner of His life and walk which was upon the earth. Our relationship with the Father depends on this maturity (conformity by the Spirit) because the more you mature in Christ’s image, the closer “He will draw nigh to you” because in the maturing, you “draw neigh to God” (Jam Jas 4:8).

In redemption there is a twofold involvement: union and fellowship. Union admits not in degrees, unlike fellowship, which ever grows. Though we can have no greater desire than close fellowship with God, we know that only progressing in application and practicality of His Word (by the Spirit of course, as are all things) will conform us in His fellowship.

Doctrine within the Pauline Epistles is mostly where the Spirit of God teaches concerning our new birth, who also is the Creator of it in the Lord Jesus’ Life (Jhn 3:5, 6, 8; Col 3:4). Considering these possessions which abide within those reborn, what could there ever be within—or without, that is “able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord?” Not self, because the Cross of Christ restrains the “old man” from “ruling” and “dominating” the believer (Rom 6:6, 12, 14); the Spirit opposes it (Gal 5:17); and the Father guards us against it by instilling within the believer’s mind and heart, “to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phl 2:13).

In the light of Scripture, the only possible answer for not abiding in Christ is attributed to the nonoccurrence of rebirth, and the most outward confirmation to others concerning “Christ in you” (to self, the Spirit is confirmation - Rom 8:16) is the permanent continuance of the “walk in the Spirit”; which “walk” is hypocritical otherwise, because only those reborn will “endure unto the end.”
NC

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings,

perhaps another way to look at abiding besides being born again, is to be engrafted into the True Vine, the Son of God


I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.
John 15:1-5 (KJV)


Bless you ....><>

 

[NetChaplain]

Greetings,

perhaps another way to look at abiding besides being born again, is to be engrafted into the True Vine, the Son of God


I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.
John 15:1-5 (KJV)


Bless you ....><>

Hi, and appreciate your reply! I like this passage because it contains an often very difficult and misunderstood concept. Many are of the understanding that "every branch in Me" refers to one reborn, but it designs the intention of "profession," e.g. "everyone professing to be in Me," because if it meant everyone in Me, it would have to follow that they would all be in Him, and not "without Me." Thus it's rendered that only the branches not truly connected cannot bear fruit, and answers to why they're thrown into the fire (v 6). Bearing fruit manifest being connected with Christ, just as the absence of fruit manifests being without Him!

 

[bibleguy]

Lots of good points...thanks!

 

[NetChaplain]

Lots of good points...thanks!

HI, and appreciate your reply and complement. God bless my Brother.