Bible Reading: Psalm 20, 1 John 2: 22-29
“And now, little children, abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him” – 2 Peter 2:28-29(KJV).
One of the fundamental truth about the second coming of Christ is that He is coming for His own. You cannot be counted among His own if you are not abiding in Him. This is the first and important step for anyone who is looking forward to being with Him at His appearing. In the gospel of John 15:4-5(KJV) Jesus said: “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.”
From the above scriptures, one of the evidence of a truly abiding disciple in Christ is fruit bearing. No matter what you say about your exploits in Christ without fruit bearing it all amounts to nothing. A tree is known by its fruit, in the same way a true and abiding Christian is known by his/her fruit bearing. Fruit bearing, as in soul winning and in righteousness.
Another evidence of abiding in Christ is asking and receiving. “If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” It is the word of God abiding in us because we abide in Christ that results in answer to our prayers. This is so because God has exalted His word above His name. The word of Christ abiding in you is Christ in your life. That also represent the degree of intensity of light you carry. Therefore a very clear evidence of Christ abiding in you is the deposit of His word in you. When God’s word abide in you the Almighty God is present in you. Jesus said the works that He does bear witness of Him that He is from God (John 5:36). So also our works bears evidence of our abiding in Christ. The quickening power of the word of God in our lives enables us to do the work of the father like Christ did while on earth.
Another evidence of abiding in Christ is Love. “As the father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue in my love.” So when we love we are showing evidence of the abiding presence of Christ in you, for God is Love. Christ abided in the Father’s love, so also we abide in Christ’s love. A life of love is an evidence of abiding in Christ.
Another evidence of a life abiding in Christ is obedience to His commandments. “if ye keep my commandment, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my father’s commandment, and abide in his love” – John 15:10(KJV).
From the discussion above it is understandable why the man that abides in Christ will have confidence and not be ashamed at His appearing and coming. All that is discussed above is a pointer to a righteous living of which Christ is the righteousness of God. So whosoever does all the evidences enumerated above is righteous and is born of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). It is pertinent therefore that we must all strive to abide in Him for He is coming soon.
Prayer: Father I plead for your grace to remain ever abiding in Christ Jesus.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo