How to abide in God- part 1 – it’s not what you think!

Look for the other posts in this series which

will be published very soon.

To start off, I thought I would share my belief that if you are Born again, you are ALWAYS in God’s presence. And being in God’s presence, we choose to abide in him or not. I don’t like the term- ‘let’s enter Gods presence’ because of God’s grace justifies you, making you righteous to be in God’s presence. By the blood of Jesus and you can enter God’s presence, and once your in- you in! You are always in God’s presence whether you realise it or not You are in God’s house. You are Gods temple, and he abides IN you- so, therefore, Gods presence is always there- he does not dip in and out!

We find the idea about abiding in …John 15:4-11 New King James Version

‘Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified that you bear much fruit; so, you will be My disciples.‘

So, to understand what Abiding really means, we need to take a brief look at what ‘Born Again’ means first.

There were three main points to Jesus message while on earth –

First, the kingdom of God and its coming.

Second, God the Father and the infinite value of the human soul. In the following posts

Third, the higher righteousness and the commandment of love. In the following posts

What have these 3 points got to do with Abiding in God?

keep reading to find out!

So, in this Post we will look at the kingdom of God and its coming.

The kingdom is not ‘out there somewhere’, it has come to you through Jesus Christ – now all you need to do is accept it and live in it. How? Jesus explains this to us in the Gospel of John, chapter 3. Please read all the chapter to get the overall idea. But here I will pick out a few passages.

John 3:3 “Jesus answered him, “Most certainly, I tell you unless one is born (Greek: gennethe–from gennao) anew), he can’t see the Kingdom of God.”

John 3:4 “Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”

How is the new birth accomplished? We cannot inherit a new birth. The Bible says that born again means that we were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). Our fathers and mothers may be the most incredible born-again Christians in the world, but that doesn’t make us born-again Christians, too. Many people believe that because they were born into a Christian home, they are automatically Christians. They’re not. This because Jesus is not about religion, or ritual, but a relationship.

We must accept that we cannot work our way to God, either. The Bible says that salvation comes “not by virtuous acts, but according to His mercy, He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).

We can say, “I am going to turn over a new leaf,” or “I am going to make New Year’s resolutions, I will be different.” This is not enough. Isaiah points out that in the sight of God “all our righteousness’s are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Some people try to imitate Christ. They think that all we have to do is try to follow Jesus and try to do the things He did, and we will get into heaven. But we can’t do it. We may know the religious songs, and may even say prayers. But if we haven’t recognised our sin, we haven’t been born again, and if we haven’t been born again, we haven’t a relationship with Father God. That is Jesus message to how to abide in him.

To conform with others’ expectations, specific social standards or behaviour; some of us have changed only on the outside. But deep down inside, we have never been changed, and if we are honest with ourselves- we know that to be true. That is what Jesus was talking to Nicodemus about. He said, “Nicodemus, you need changing inside,” and only the Holy Spirit can do that. Being born from above is a supernatural act of God. The Holy Spirit shows us our sin, then we ask forgiveness, then the Holy Spirit restores us, and we are born again. It’s all God’s work- not ours.

To be born again means that Father God will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26). “Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4); we “pass from death into life” (John 5:24). The new birth brings about a change in our values and lifestyle. The Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts and help us in our daily lives. The Spirit of God gives us assurance, gives us joy, produces fruit in our lives and teaches us the Scriptures.

If you are born again, you are ALWAYS in God’s presence, and then you can abide in Christ. And being in God’s presence, we can choose to abide in him – or not. God calls us to abide and hopes that we choose to. If we do, we reap all the benefits that Gods will provide. I don’t like the term- ‘let’s enter Gods presence’ because of God’s grace justifying you and making you righteous you are always in God’s presence whether you realise it or not. You are already in God’s household by the blood of Jesus and have entered God’s presence by faith. Now we need jut to live like it!

You are in God’s presence now. And God is calling you to Abide in him- now. To rest in him, to learn and follow him, all the days of your life. And you will find peace for your soul.

If you feel a tug at your heart, pray this prayer…

Lord God, I come in Jesus name. Forgive me my sins and wash me clean. Come Holy Spirit, and abide in me, so I may abide in you. I thank you for answered prayer.

Amen.

If you have prayed this prayer, let me know, and I’ll pray for you and support you the best way I can.

Until next time- Live Life on Purpose in Hope. Faith. Love,

Rev Paula 💕

My Blog posts are part of Paula Rose Parish Ministries for your encouragement.

📸 Instagram: paularoseparish2020

https://www.instagram.com/paularoseparish2020/?hl=en

🌐 Website: www.paularoseparishministries.org.

FB join our community and grow this ministry – https://www.facebook.com/paula.roseparish.5/