But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.—1 John 2:5-6
What a wonderful verse on which to meditate. God’s love is perfected or brought to maturity in those who obey His word. Our own lives give evidence as to whether we truly know Him. Those who know Him will walk as He walked. Those who are truly in Christ will daily grow to look, love, and live like Him. I sooo want this in my life.
Even in knowing that, my first reaction to the above two verses is rebellion. My flesh bristles. A wall comes up between my God and me. I feel burdened and kinda hopeless. At my age I KNOW I cannot keep His word. My second response is relief because I remember that He has not left me alone. His Spirit is with me and is in me. He does the “keeping” work. My job is just to abide. Jesus taught His disciples in John 15 what that means, explaining it in His illustration of the vine and its branches. Just as the branch gets its life by remaining in contact with the vine, so believers receive their strength by staying in fellowship with Christ. Without Him, beloved, we can do nothing good. Abiding in Him and His word leads to knowing Him through His word and knowing His truth sets you free to walk as He walked.
And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."—Exodus 33:14
No comments:
Post a Comment