1 John 3:24 - Living in Union with Christ.
1 John 3:24 (ESV) Whoever keeps his
commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this
we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit
whom he has given us.
1 John 3:24 (NLT) Those who obey Gods
commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with
them. And we know he lives in us because the
Spirit he gave us lives in us.
INTRODUCTION
The mutual relationship, living in Christ as
he lives in us, shows itself in Christians who
keep these three essential commands: (1) believe
in Christ, (2) love the brothers and sisters,
and (3) live morally upright lives. The Spirit's
presence is not only spiritual and mystical, but it
is also practical. Our conduct verifies his
presence. [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Kept By The Spirit
A boat doesn't sink because it is in the
water; it sinks because the water gets into it. In
the same way, Christians don't fail to live as
they should because they are in the world; they
fail because the world has gotten into them. We
don't fail to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit
because we live in a sea of corruption; we fail
because the sea of corruption has gotten into us.
It can happen almost without our
realizing it. At one time we were dedicated to Christ,
surrendered to the will of God. But little by little the
chilling waters of the world crept in. We became
preoccupied with the things of this world rather than
the things of Christ.
Most ocean-going ships have pumps running
constantly, sucking out any water that might have leaked
into the hull. Similarly, we need to keep the
"pumps" of repentance running. We need to plug the
holes with the truth of God's Word. Don't let the
world sink your ship!
We are faced with the choice multiple
times a day: the Word or the world. The choice
isnt always good vs. bad; Satan is far more
subtle. Ask God to give you the wisdom to discern
what is good and what is best. [Hope for Each Day
by Billy Graham]
COMMENTARY
John did not teach that salvation was to be
earned by obedience; but that obedience was the
fruit of faith and love. "Ye know that He was
manifested to take away our sins," he said, "and in Him
is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth
not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither
known Him." 1 John 3:5, 6. If we abide in Christ,
if the love of God dwells in the heart, our
feelings, our thoughts, our actions, will be in
harmony with the will of God. The sanctified heart
is in harmony with the precepts of God's law.
AA563, 4
Righteousness is right doing, and it is
by their deeds that all will be judged. Our
characters are revealed by what we do. The works show
whether the faith is genuine
"He that keepeth His commandments
dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know
that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He
hath given us." "Hereby we do know that we know
Him if we keep His commandments." 1 John 3:24;
2:3. This is the genuine evidence of conversion.
Whatever our profession, it amounts to nothing unless
Christ is revealed in works of righteousness.
The truth is to be planted in the heart.
It is to control the mind and regulate the
affections. The whole character must be stamped with the
divine utterances. Every jot and tittle of the word
of God is to be brought into the daily
practice.
He who becomes a partaker of the divine
nature will be in harmony with God's great standard
of righteousness, His holy law. This is the
rule by which God measures the actions of men.
This will be the test of character in the
judgment. COL312-314
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
1 John 3:24 - Living in Union with Christ.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20181218-0937.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170202-1035.html
John 15:4, 5 - The Crucial and Vital
Relationship With Christ.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160109-1614.html
John 15:4, 5 - The Pursuit of God.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211031-1051.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
