Abiding in Christ by C. LAWTON

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 5, 1870

Abiding in Christ.

By C. LAWTON

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” I have often thought of these words, and the thought would naturally arise in the mind, how is it that we are to abide in Christ? In 1 John 2:5, 6, we read: “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” Here we may test ourselves whether we abide in Christ or not. It is to be expected if we do, we shall walk even as he walked. If we keep his word, obey his teaching, we shall love the Lord with all the heart, soul, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves; for this is the first and great commandment, and this will be evidence enough that we are in him. No room here for self and the world. Our whole being is consecrated to God. All is on the altar. We are no longer our own. Our affections, temper, passions, and appetites, are all consecrated to God. Our will is wholly lost in his. We shall have no desire to indulge in sin; but we shall loathe it and love purity. Oh, blessed state! Oh, glorious resting in God! My soul longs to enter this state of blessedness more fully. Oh! how long shall we remain in the low grounds of sin and unbelief, when just before are the glory-gilt mountains of God’s redeeming love.

Brethren and sisters, be not satisfied with a formal religion. Seek for a thorough conversion, for the abiding witness of the Spirit? Is it not time we put on the whole armor? Dare we delay in this day of preparation? All the heavenly host are engaged for our salvation. Will we remain inactive, close our eyes to the light, give ourselves up to surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, here right in the time of judgment? I feel truly alarmed for many in the church, who seem to be insensible to the dangerous position they occupy. What will arouse them? Oh! that they could realize the great loss they will sustain if they do not put forth extra efforts to get out of the way of the enemy. It does seem that the last testimony should arouse the church. None but those who agonize daily, will go through. Oh! when will the true spirit of agonizing, the spirit of wrestling Jacob like, and prevailing with God, rest on the church? The answer seems to come back to my heart, When we give up our idols, make a surrender of self, and the world, live out the testimonies and consecrate ourselves wholly to God, then will the genuine spirit of labor rest upon us.

My heart is encouraged with increasing evidence of the progress of the work of the third message. The cheering reports from different parts of the field show that the work of the Lord is hastening to its close. The day of preparation will soon be gone. The saints of God will receive the refreshing, and the wrath of God will soon be poured out on the wicked. Let us work while the day lasts. John says, “Now little children abide in Him, that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

C. LAWTON. Jeff. Co., N. Y.