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Abiding in Christ

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 10, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 28.

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“Abiding in Christ”

By ALLEN WALKER

ALLEN WALKER
“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” Abiding in Christ, then, is walking even as he walked. What a high standard of attainment is here held out to those who profess to be abiding in Christ! But only through Jesus can this standard be reached.
Our Lord “did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth;” and in John 8: 29, speaking of his close relation with the Father, he says, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” Then if we walk even as he walked, we shall live a sinless life, and do always those things that are pleasing in his sight. This is exactly what the Saviour meant when he said, “Abide in me.” The command to abide in Jesus implies the possibility to comply with the command.
Before Jesus began his life here on earth as a divine copy for all who will be saved, he was made a little lower than the angels, and partook of flesh and blood, thereby bringing himself down on an equality with humanity. While in possession of this nature, he was tempted in all points as we are, yet never once yielded to temptation. In living this sinless life he had access to no power that is not freely offered to us. If Jesus had once exercised his divine nature in meeting temptation, his life would not be a perfect example for the human family to follow, because we do not possess inherent divine nature as he did, and therefore cannot have this advantage in striving against sin. The Captain of our salvation, in order that his life might be a perfect example, always met and conquered Satan through the strength of God, claiming the same power which is given to those who abide in him.
How encouraging to know that if we continually maintain the same relation to Jesus that he enjoyed with his Father, we can do always those things which are pleasing in his sight, and have the assurance that we are daily abiding in him. Further, we can make our requests to him in full assurance that he will hear us, for the promise is, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” Those who are not abiding in Christ are as withered branches that have been severed from the vine and cannot bear fruit, but, said Jesus, “He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” All who are not abiding in Christ when he comes will cry for the rocks and the mountains to fall on them.