Chapter Three

Dec 3

TRUSTING HIM TO KEEP YOU

"I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which I also am apprehended of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:12

Many Christians admit that abiding in Christ is both a sacred duty and a blessed privilege. Yet they shrink back from the question: Is unbroken fellowship with the Savior actually possible?

Some eminent Christians, given special opportunities to cultivate this grace, may attain it. But for most disciples, whose lives are fully occupied with everyday affairs, it seems impossible. The more they hear about this life, the more they sense its glory and blessing. There's nothing they wouldn't sacrifice to experience it. But they believe they're too weak, too unfaithful—they can never attain it.

Dear souls, how little they understand that abiding in Christ is designed specifically for the weak, perfectly suited to their feebleness. It doesn't require doing some great thing first, nor does it demand that we lead a very holy and devoted life beforehand. No, it's simply weakness trusting itself to a Mighty One to be kept—the unfaithful one casting themselves on One who is altogether trustworthy and true.

Abiding in Him isn't work we must do as a condition for enjoying His salvation. It's consenting to let Him do all for us, in us, and through us. It's His work—the fruit and power of His redeeming love. Our part is simply to yield, to trust, and to wait for what He has promised to perform.

It's this quiet expectation and confidence, resting on Christ's word, that's so sadly lacking among Christians. They rarely take the time or trouble to realize that when He says "Abide IN ME," He offers Himself. The Keeper of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. His power and love, as the living home of the soul, will be stronger to keep than all other influences are to lead astray.

The Problem with Our Idea of Grace

The problem is their idea of grace. They think conversion and pardon are God's work, but now it's their work to live as Christians and follow Jesus. There's always the thought of work that must be done. Even when they pray for help, the work still feels like theirs. They fail continually and become hopeless. The despondency only increases their helplessness.

No, wandering soul—just as it was Jesus who drew you when He said "Come," it's Jesus who keeps you when He says "Abide." The grace to come and the grace to abide both come from Him alone. That word "Come" was the cord of love that drew you near. That word "Abide" is the band with which He holds you fast and binds you to Himself.

Simply take time to listen to Jesus's voice: "In me is your place—in my almighty arms. It is I who love you so, who speaks 'Abide in me'; surely you can trust me." The voice of Jesus dwelling in your soul calls for the response: "Yes, Savior, in You I can, I will abide."

Promises, Not Demands

Abide in me. These aren't laws of Moses, demanding from sinful people what they cannot perform. They're commands of love, which are really promises in a different form. Think about this until all feelings of burden, fear, and despair pass away. Let the first thought that comes as you hear about abiding in Jesus be one of bright and joyous hope: It's for me. I know I shall enjoy it.

You are not under law with its inexorable demands, but under grace with its blessed promises. If the question arises, "But surely there's something for us to do?" the answer is: "Our doing and working are simply the fruit of Christ's work in us." When the soul becomes utterly passive, looking and resting on what Christ will do, and when we work most effectively because we know He works in us—that's when we see in those words "IN ME" the mighty energies of love reaching out to have us and hold us, rousing all the strength of our will to abide in Him.

Paul's Example: Apprehended by Christ

This connection between Christ's work and our work is beautifully expressed in Paul's words: "I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which I also am apprehended of Christ Jesus." Paul knew that the mighty faith of Christ had grasped him with the glorious purpose of making him one with Christ. He did his utmost to grasp the glorious prize—the full assurance that "Christ has apprehended me"—which gave him courage and strength to press on.

Think of a father helping his child up the side of a steep cliff. The father stands above and has taken the child by the hand. He points to the spot where the child should plant his feet as he leaps upward. The leap would be too high and dangerous for the child alone, but the father's hand is his trust, and he leaps to grab hold of the point his father has secured for him. It's the father's strength that lifts him up and urges him to use his utmost strength.

This is the relationship between Christ and you, weak and trembling believer. Fix your eyes first on what Christ has apprehended you for—nothing less than a life of abiding, unbroken fellowship with Himself. All you've already received—pardon, peace, the Spirit, His grace—are just preliminary to this. All that you see promised in the future—holiness, fruitfulness, glory everlasting—are simply its natural outcome. Union with Himself, and so with the Father, is His highest goal. Fix your eye on this and gaze until it stands before you clear and unmistakable: Christ's aim is to have me abiding in Him.

You Are Apprehended by Christ

Then let this second thought enter your heart: I am apprehended of Christ. His almighty power has laid hold of me and now offers to lift me up to where He would have me be. Fix your eyes on Christ. Gaze on the love that beams in those eyes, asking whether you cannot trust Him who sought, found, and brought you near, now to keep you. Gaze on that arm of power and ask whether you have reason to be assured that He is indeed able to keep you abiding in Him.

And as you think of the blessed life He's pointing to—the place He's apprehended you for—and keep your gaze fixed on Himself holding you and waiting to lift you up, could you not this very day take the upward step and rise to enter upon this blessed life of abiding in Christ?

Begin Today

Yes, begin at once and say: "O my Jesus, if You bid me and if You promise to lift and keep me, there I will venture. Trembling but trusting, I will say: Jesus, I do abide in You."

Go and take time alone with Jesus. Tell Him you don't dare speak about abiding in Him just to stir up pleasant religious feelings. God's truth must be acted on immediately. Yield yourself this very day to the blessed Savior in the surrender of the one thing He asks: give up yourself to abide in Him. He Himself will work it in you. You can trust Him to keep you trusting and abiding.

If doubts arise again, or if the bitter experience of failure tempts you to despair, just remember where Paul found his strength: "I am apprehended of Jesus Christ." In that assurance you have a fountain of strength. From that you can look up to what He has set His heart on and set yours there too. From that you gather confidence that the good work He has begun, He will also perform. And in that confidence you'll gather courage day by day to say afresh: "I follow on, that I may also apprehend that for which I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."

It's because Jesus has taken hold of me, and because Jesus keeps me, that I dare to say: Savior, I abide in You.

Marcus Meazzo