Abide in Christ

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 9, 1861

CHRIST, it seems did not inculcate the doctrine of "Once in grace always in grace." In John xv, 4, is the following impressive language: "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." Now it would be singular to talk about persons' abiding in Christ, who had never, in the scripture sense, been in him. The language must have reference to those who are in him; and the words, "except ye abide in me," afford clear evidence that such persons might fall from their position. But Christ speaks more directly still upon this point. Verse 6. "If a man abide not in me," if one who has been in me, as the branch is in the vine, does not abide so, does not retain his position, but falls away, "he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered, and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." In view of such scriptures as this, it may well be wondered at that any could be deluded into the acceptance of that self-evident opiate of the enemy, that a man once in grace is always in grace, or that once accepted, there is no such thing as coming short at last. Brethren, abide in Christ. Let his words abide in you. There is no other safe position. How may we know when we are abiding in him? By the same evidences by which we may know when a branch is in healthy connection with the vine: when we see it, not withered and lifeless, but fresh and flourishing, and bearing its due proportion of fruit. So says Christ. Verse 5. "He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit." What kind of fruit? Answer. The fruit of the Spirit. Gal. v, 22, 23.