“And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.”
1 John 2:28
One of my favorite theologians is Andrew Murray (1828-1917), a South African teacher, pastor, and missions promoter. His book Abide in Christ (1864) has influenced my life deeply. When he wrote, “The half was not told me,” I was intrigued. What were these halves, one told to us and the other not?
The half most Christians are familiar with is our salvation. We have been saved by grace through faith in Christ. We have been given eternal life, so one day we’ll be with Him in heaven.
But somehow many miss the “other half,” living out our salvation by abiding in Christ. “You did well to come; you do better to abide,” Murray wrote. Christ draws us to Him savingly, and now we flourish as we abide in His presence. Murray says, “Oh, let us enter in and abide, and enjoy to the full all the rich supply His wondrous love has prepared for us!”
Abiding is a lively, ongoing relationship with Jesus, kindled by the Holy Spirit in us. Surely, coming to Christ is the answer for our salvation; abiding or remaining in Christ is how we live it out.
The half most Christians are familiar with is our salvation. We have been saved by grace through faith in Christ. We have been given eternal life, so one day we’ll be with Him in heaven.
But somehow many miss the “other half,” living out our salvation by abiding in Christ. “You did well to come; you do better to abide,” Murray wrote. Christ draws us to Him savingly, and now we flourish as we abide in His presence. Murray says, “Oh, let us enter in and abide, and enjoy to the full all the rich supply His wondrous love has prepared for us!”
Abiding is a lively, ongoing relationship with Jesus, kindled by the Holy Spirit in us. Surely, coming to Christ is the answer for our salvation; abiding or remaining in Christ is how we live it out.
Scripture Focus
1 John 2:26-29
Insight
FAVORITE THEOLOGIAN’S QUOTE written by Anchor writer Stephen Wilkens. He enjoys sharing about Jesus through personal contact and through written devotions, ever mindful that “it is not sin that humbles most, but grace” (Andrew Murray).
Bible In A Year
- Deuteronomy 13-14
- Psalm 86
- Acts 9