REMAIN IN ME

“REMAIN IN ME, AND I WILL REMAIN IN YOU.”
JOHN 15:4

Can God’s Word be any clearer? “REMAIN IN ME, AND I WILL REMAIN IN YOU.” When we are no longer growing in God we don’t need a new church or a different pastor or other programs; we don’t need a newer Bible or better singing. When we are not growing in Christ it is because we are no longer allowing Him to be dominant in our lives.

Change of scenery may suffice until you grow weary of trying to be a “Christian” outside of His Lordship, but God’s promise is true; “REMAIN IN ME, AND I WILL REMAIN IN YOU.” If you are no longer growing in God it is because you are not where you need to be in God.

A woman once told me, “I can’t be spiritual; with a husband like I have, he holds me back!” Ironically for all the years she lived with her restrictive husband she fought to be in church and continued to grow, if at times that growth was so marginal it was barely noticeable, however was they were divorced she quit coming to church altogether and has for years now been a raging alcoholic. How many times I have seen people leave the church where God has directed them in search of something better only to become non-churchgoers altogether!

“REMAIN IN ME, AND I WILL REMAIN IN YOU.” Either Jesus is God and His words are true or He is a liar and they aren’t. I want to say, “Buck-up; grow-up, own-up and fess-up!” We live in a society where everyone else is to blame, but if you aren’t growing in God it’s because you are GOING in God!

A word of caution here; some of the times of my greatest spiritual growth have been those silent times when I have had to continue to walk on in faith. We have all had those times when God appears to be on vacation just when you need Him most. You are looking for A SIGN, you are trying to FEEL your religion, you want to hear Him, but you don’t. That’s when you look to the promises of God’s Word and walk on in FAITH. Once you’ve survived the valley to your next upward clime toward the mountain top, you will look back and realize the faithfulness of God.

So many times during their 40 years of wandering in the desert the Israelites were ready to return to the slavery of Egypt; they were blinded to God’s presence by the sheer hardships of the wilderness, however to this day in hindsight, they remember and celebrate the faithfulness and deliverance of God of those very times.

Jesus said, “REMAIN IN ME, AND I WILL REMAIN IN YOU.” You have His Word on it. Amen!