THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST Devotion 1 of 12 The text before us is one of great significance! No individual can afford to take these words lightly. It is a universal text – one that applies to "whosoever." The issue is having the Father and the Son or not having Them -- being a pretender or being real! Observe, the possession of the Father and the Son relates to abiding, or remaining, in "the teaching," or "doctrine" of Christ. Those who do not abide in the teaching do not have God, profession notwithstanding! THERE IS A PLACE TO STAY "Abiding" is remaining, or staying, in a certain domain or area. In Christ, certain quarters have been appointed that are conducive to spiritual growth and development. Apart from these domains, growth cannot be realized, and God cannot be pleased. Should a person choose to leave them, they immediately step into the sphere of Satan's influence and the domination of the flesh, or sinful nature. PROGRESS IS IMPERATIVE In Christ, progress is imperative. If we do not "go on to perfection," we will retrogress to a point from which recovery is not possible (Heb 6:1-6). Those who draw back, refusing to grow up into Christ in all things (Eph 4:15), incur the indignation of God. The gravity of this situation is seen in the words of God Himself. "My soul takes no pleasure in anyone who shrinks back" (Heb 10:38, NASB). A religious institution may take pleasure in such a person, but God does not! There may be a place for such an individual in organized religion, but there is no place for such in the courts of the Lord! The one who does not "go onward," progressing in the faith, eventually loses identity with the Lord! – Tomorrow:
"Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son." (2 John 8-9, NASB)
In Scripture, "abiding" is another view of growing, progressing, or advancing spiritually. It views spiritual growth from the standpoint of the means by which it is accomplished: "abiding." If an individual can remain in the domain within which Divine sustenance is ministered, advancement in the faith will take place. To put it another way, if you can abide where the power and grace of God effectively work, you will be conformed to the image of God's Son (Rom 8:29-30).
Care must be taken not to view abiding, remaining, or continuing, from the standpoint of Law. When this happens, believers suddenly turn into self-appointed policemen, seeking to impose their thoughts about truth and faithfulness upon others. At the highest level, admonitions or exhortations are not to be viewed as a "you-had-better-do-this-or-else" matter. Rather, they are to be seen as a summons to walk within the circumference of blessing, for Divine approval can be obtained nowhere else.
Abiding is not merely staying within a certain circumference. It is availing ourselves of the benefits and graces that are found in that area. When the Lord admonishes us to "abide," it is because there are blessings to be possessed – blessings that are essential to our development in Christ Jesus.
The subject of "abiding" is approached from different vantage points. Abiding is not simplistic, or on the surface of life. This is something that will require all of your effort. It necessitates vigilance, faithfulness, and sobriety. Ponder the wideness of the subject we will be considering.
ABIDING IN CHRIST. Jesus spoke of abiding in Him: "Abide in Me . . . If ye abide in me" (John 15:4,7). John also wrote of abiding in Christ: " . . . ye shall abide in Him . . . And now, little children, abide in Him' (1 John 2:27,28). When we are born again, or begin to walk in the newness of life, we start out "in Christ." From the standpoint of experience, we are "baptized into Christ" (Gal 3:26). Considered from the standpoint of Divine activity, we are put into Christ by God the Father: "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus" (1 Cor 1:30). Every child of God begins "in Christ." There are no exceptions. However, the issue for the believer is "abiding" in Christ – staying where God has placed him.
ABIDING IN CHRIST'S LOVE. Jesus spoke of abiding in His love: " . . . continue ye in My love . . . ye shall abide in My love" (John 15:9-10). Abiding in Christ's love is remaining in His favor. Do not take Christ's love for granted, or imagine that He loves people no matter what they do or where they are. Nothing in Scripture suggests such a thing, and men do well not to represent the love of Christ as being experienced while men are outside of the realm that pleases Him. I understand this is disruptive of some theology, but some theology needs to be disrupted.
CONTINUING IN CHRIST'S WORD. There is also continuing in Christ's Word. Jesus said, "If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31). There is a circumference within which Christ can be heard – an area where men are sensitive to what He has said. It is the business of disciples to abide in that area, for Christ cannot be heard when they venture beyond that border.
CONTINUING IN THE GRACE OF GOD. Paul and Barnabas urged believers to "continue in the grace of God" (Acts 13:43). They all started out in the grace of God, and they are all to remain there. There is a realm where grace is apparent, and one where it is not. There is a place where God's grace nourishes and sustains the soul, and one where it does not. Continuing in the grace of God is staying where grace can be experienced and its ministry realized.
CONTINUING IN THE FAITH. Disciples were also confirmed when they were admonished to continue in the faith. "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith" (Acts 14:22). Continuing in the faith is persisting in believing. It is not allowing the delusions of this world to rob us of the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). It is staying where believing is the only alternative.
CONTINUING IN GOD'S GOODNESS. Paul wrote of continuing in God's goodness. "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off" (Rom 11:22). An individual can choose to dwell where God's severity will be experienced. Or, he can choose to remain where God's goodness is effectively realized. One cannot afford to provoke the Lord by choosing to dwell where His severity is aroused.
This series of devotions will deal with abiding in "the doctrine of Christ." It will surely touch upon what people teach, but it goes far beyond that. Abiding in the doctrine of Christ is compared with transgressing – going outside of the teaching that centers in the Lord Jesus Himself. The issue of abiding in the doctrine is accented by its association with possessing "both the Father and the Son." I cannot conceive of anything more important than that.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the Name of Jesus, I seek for strength to abide, remain, and continue where I can experience Your blessing and direction.