Abiding in Christ

"For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."

(Luke 6:43)

The Cross of Jesus is the good tree and anyone who is united with Jesus on the Cross, will be a good tree. Jesus when He was crucified knew that all those who believed on Him would ultimately be united with Him. "You in me and my words in you", He said. How can we be perfect? How can sinful man be like his master Jesus? God has made a way for that. It is the way of the Cross. Because we believe in the death of Jesus, a new life comes into us. There begins a spiritual affinity between us and Jesus. Those who were once gravitating towards sin, are now attracted towards Jesus and the Cross. "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Romans 6:5,6). After the new life has come in, what do we do with the old man? It is not your work to deal with the old man. You have to take care that you abide in Him. It is easy to abide in Christ the healer and in Christ the preacher but not easy to abide in Christ, the one on the Cross. Every time you think of the Cross you are lifted. Our abiding in Him begins when our sins are forgiven. But our abiding becomes richer as we are lifted to abide with Him on the Cross. A good tree bringeth forth good fruit. When we abide with Him in His death, the inclination to sin dies. Every time you sin there is a deep sorrow. People try for some emotional experiences, but the real experience is to abide with Him in His death.