GOD IS LOVE Devotion 18 of 34 KNOWING WE ABIDE "By this we know that we abide in Him." The spirit chooses His words carefully. He does not say that are "in Him," although we surely are (1 John 2:5; 5:20). But this is an even stronger statement: "we ABIDE in Him." Jesus spoke of the one abiding in Him as bringing "forth much fruit" (John 15:5). This very Epistle associates abiding in Him with walking, or living, like Him (2:6). It is also affirmed that "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not" (3:6). HE IS IN US Here is a wonderful reality the Spirit does not want us to miss. God is not ashamed of us, and therefore is "in us." Our strangership in this world, together with our longings for a "better country" have endeared us to God, and thus He is pleased to dwell within us. – Tomorrow:
"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love . . . God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:8,16)
"Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us . . . " (1 John 4:13)
There is a reciprocation in salvation that is marvelous beyond all description. Not only does Deity dwell in us, we dwell in Deity. This is involved in the unity, or oneness, for which Jesus prayed on the even of His betrayal. "That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art IN ME, and I IN THEE, that they also may be ONE IN US: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as WE ARE ONE: I IN THEM, and THOU IN ME, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me" (John 17:21-23). What a marvelous threefold unity, and "a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Eccl 4:12). God is in Christ, Christ is in us, and we are in Them! Hallelujah!
The fact that the Lord is in His children, and His children are in Him, is often declared in Scripture. First, we are in God and Christ. " . . . your life is hid with Christ IN GOD." (Col 3:3). " . . . unto the church of the Thessalonians which is IN GOD the Father and IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (1 Thess 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1). " . . . and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth IN GOD. . . " (1 John 4:16). "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are IN CHRIST JESUS" (Rom 8:1). "But of him are ye IN CHRIST JESUS" (1 Cor 1:30). "Therefore if any man be IN CHRIST, he is a new creature" (2 Cor 5:17). "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places IN CHRIST JESUS" (Eph 2:6).
Second, God and Christ are in the saints. "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and WE WILL COME UNTO HIM, and MAKE OUR ABODE WITH HIM" (John 14:23). "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and IN YOU ALL" (Eph 4:6). " . . . Christ IN YOU, the hope of glory" (Col 1:27). " . . . and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and GOD IN HIM" (1 John 4:16).
This indwelling is so real that it is confirmed by undeniable evidence. Only those whose lives are "hid with Christ in God" have the evidence or are able to perceive the evidence.
Keep in mind the reason for this powerful Epistle.
1. That we might have fellowship with the Father, the Son, and those in fellowship with them (1:3).
2. That our joy might be full (1:4).
3. That we might not sin (2:1).
4. That we might know we have eternal life – life more abundant (1 John 5:13).
We are to understand that the words of this passage, like the rest of the book, are intended to produce these results. It should also be noted that the results cannot be achieved without this type of knowledge. This is not novel knowledge that can be ignored or removed from our consideration. Knowing these things is indispensable to consistent fellowship with God and Christ, and those who also fellowship with Them. It is essential for a dominating and strengthening joy. This knowledge dulls the knife of temptation, and empowers the individual to say "NO!" to ungodliness and worldly lusts. It also empowers us to have a confident grip on eternal life.
Here is the grandest of all locations: "in Him." When we are delivered from this present evil world, we are put into Christ Jesus (1 Cor 1:30). The one who "abides in Him" has not been lured into other things. Satan's devices have been unsuccessful against such a one.
But our text does not merely say "we abide in Him," but that there is evidence available to us that confirms this to be the case. We will find that the evidence is not coincidental, or a mere discovery by those astute of mind. Rather, it has been given to us by God Himself.
The knowledge of this confirms to our hearts that God is "for us" (Rom 8:31). Such knowledge moves the one possessing it to boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Heb 13:6). Knowing He is "in us" produces boldness, confidence, and assurance. It ushers us into the courts of the Lord with peace and joy, and enables us to face the Goliaths, prophets of Baal, and Herod's of our time.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I can scarcely comprehend the marvelous truth You have declared – that You are in me, and I am in You. In the name of Jesus, grant me grace to see this more clearly, and to retain that vision in my heart.