Remain

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5

A few days ago, I noticed something fall out of my bible. As I picked it up, I immediately recognized what had dropped to the floor. It was a bulletin of a funeral I officiated many years ago. Immediately, so many memories flooded my mind of this dear brother and his wife. They were both called home together in a car accident. I remembered getting the call regarding the accident.  I remembered talking to their son. I also remembered praising the Lord that their faith had become sight, and praising the Lord that they had remained faithful to the end. 

Over the years, the Lord has allowed me to be part of many families' grieving process while they say goodbye to their loved ones. Some of them are so hard and so broken, but some are beautiful and a time of celebration. The difference between the two is found in one simple question. Did they remain? Did they remain faithful to His word? Did they remain faithful to the calling as a disciple? Did they remain faithful to the Bride of Christ, the church? 

All over the word of God, we are reminded that our walk with the Lord is a long journey. Our sanctification takes time; it takes a lifetime.  As we walk with the Lord, we will face many seasons of joy, despair, hope, and discouragement. We are continually reminded of this broken world as we walk through the mountains and valleys with our Shepherd. Along the journey, if we are not careful, we can fall victim to the lies from the enemy, telling us…the journey is too hard…it hurts too bad to continue…you have been abandoned…you are not really loved..you can do this better alone.  These are all deceptions that take our eyes off our journey with Christ. Jesus reminds us to abide in Him in John 15. This reminder is the central truth in what it means to remain in Him until we see Him face to face. 

While we know this at an elementary level, what does it practically mean to remain in Him? Remaining in Him requires us to pursue Him daily; to daily seek to know him more intimately; and to daily seek to be known and know the saints of His Church. 

Jesus reminds us here that “apart from him, we can do nothing”. Most do not realize this truth until they are in a deep, dark valley. We must always remember that our Lord never leaves in the valley; we are just walking through it. In that valley, he is preparing us, growing us, teaching us more about Him; teaching us to depend on Him; teaching us to abide.  Walking with the Lord in prayer, growing to know him more intimately through the study of His word, and trusting Him in every moment of life are the keys to remaining. 

The word of God also reminds us that our journey with Him is a journey with His body, the church. The church is a beautiful gift from the Lord. It is a gift given to us until He returns. The church community protects us from the isolated attacks of the enemy. Through the church, your gifts are realized and put on display. Through the church, we understand sacrificial love. Through the church, we realize our call as a disciple. It is a community of others who are broken yet striving, hurting yet hopeful, sin-stained yet redeemed.  To remain in him, we must be willing to be known and to know His people. While this is uncomfortable for some, giving ourselves to the church is essential to our abiding. 

Remember, my brothers and sisters in Christ, this walk with Him is a journey. Run the race well. Remain faithful to Him. Remain faithful to His Church. Remember and pursue Paul’s words to his young disciple, Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2. Timothy 4:7).” 

I love you and consider it an honor to serve as your pastor.

Blessings, 

Bro. Kris