Growing Up Into Christ
45
He is the living water, “the Bread of God ... which cometh down from
heaven, and giveth life unto the world.”
John 6:33
.
In the matchless gift of His Son, God has encircled the whole world
with an atmosphere of grace as real as the air which circulates around
the globe. All who choose to breathe this life-giving atmosphere will
live and grow up to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.
As the flower turns to the sun, that the bright beams may aid in
perfecting its beauty and symmetry, so should we turn to the Sun
of Righteousness, that heaven’s light may shine upon us, that our
character may be developed into the likeness of Christ.
Jesus teaches the same thing when He says, “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.... Without Me ye can do
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nothing.”
John 15:4, 5
. You are just as dependent upon Christ, in order
to live a holy life, as is the branch upon the parent stock for growth
and fruitfulness. Apart from Him you have no life. You have no power
to resist temptation or to grow in grace and holiness. Abiding in Him,
you may flourish. Drawing your life from Him, you will not wither
nor be fruitless. You will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.
Many have an idea that they must do some part of the work alone.
They have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sin, but now they
seek by their own efforts to live aright. But every such effort must fail.
Jesus says, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” Our growth in grace, our
joy, our usefulness,—all depend upon our union with Christ. It is by
communion with Him, daily, hourly,—by abiding in Him,—that we
are to grow in grace. He is not only the Author, but the Finisher of
our faith. It is Christ first and last and always. He is to be with us, not
only at the beginning and the end of our course, but at every step of
the way. David says, “I have set the Lord always before me: because
He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”
Psalm 16:8
.
Do you ask, “How am I to abide in Christ?” In the same way as
you received Him at first. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus
the Lord, so walk ye in Him.” “The just shall live by faith.”
Colossians
2:6
;
Hebrews 10:38
. You gave yourself to God, to be His wholly, to
serve and obey Him, and you took Christ as your Saviour. You could
not yourself atone for your sins or change your heart; but having given
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yourself to God, you believe that He for Christ’s sake did all this for
you. By faith you became Christ’s, and by faith you are to grow up