ABIDE

FATHER, You have provided many ways to strengthen my faith to the point of “knowing” I have become a Christian with all its joys and privileges.  These ways are all encased in one action.  If I am willing to pursue, that action unlocks and sets free the myriad of ways I can verify my Christianity.  And that action is to abide in CHRIST.

My quest to know is not far off, nor mysterious (Deut 30:11).  No, it is in my mouth and in my heart that I may be able to embrace it (Deut 30:14)—in my mouth and in my heart I confess and believe in the Lord JESUS (Rom 10:9-10).

CHRIST in me verifies my entire condition.  Just as a branch must remain attached to the tree to live, so if I am not to wither I need to be constantly abiding in CHRIST (John 5:15).

My “work” is knowing CHRIST. “Then they said to him, ‘What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’’’ (John 6:28-29 ESV). “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3 ESV).