We believers can be pretty quick on the draw to quote Phil. 4:13 when it comes to needing to pass a test, nail a job interview, or commit to losing those extra pounds. I’ve seen where many high school athletes have that verse embroidered on their letterman jackets, presumably embracing that promise so they can maybe excel in their respective sport, or life in general. It’s a great scripture; you know it by heart:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

The Greek word for ‘all’ there, literally means...’all’. So that promise is encouraging...when it comes to applying it to things we want to do...unless of course when it comes to overcoming all sin. For some reason, that really does not mean what it says, given the belief most of us have professed to holding on to. You know which one - “Nobody can be free of sin!”, as we so righteously declare to others, if not ourselves in order justify our ongoing sins. So why is that? Why does Phil. 4:13 not apply here? I think I know the reason why.

So many sincere folks have worn themselves ragged trying harder to ‘be better’ and yet at the end of the day, seem to fall short. Oh sure...we all have some good days along with the bad days but after a while, you get tired of beating yourself up for ‘falling short’ so you throw a few scriptures together as a salve to soothe your conflicted heart and then ‘rest in God’s love and mercy’, reminding yourself how much He loves you and heaven will be so much better when you get there.

And yet...what about that promise we read that we are supposed to be able to ‘do all things’? Why would that not include overcoming ‘all sin’...and being perfected in His love? I would submit to you the reason we fall flat on our faces is because we are not quite sure how to apply that key factor in that promise which is...”through Christ”...we can ‘do all things’. This...my friends is where this ‘abiding’ thing comes in to play. Can we revisit John 15:1-8 once again?

This portion of text does not get the needed attention it deserves, because abiding in Christ is everything. We make the mistake so often of wanting to make all this chatter about are we ‘saved’ or not...and can we lose our salvation and what must one really do to be ‘saved’. But the real issue at hand and the question that needs to be addressed is: Are we abiding in Christ? Because if ...we are...then of course we are saved...and as long as we CONTINUE...to abide in Christ (Col. 1:23) then we have no reason to think we would not be ‘saved’. And what truth does Jesus plainly state there that needs to sink in to our spirits? “Apart from Him, we can do nothing.” (4-5). This is how genuine fruit is produced; and we know what happens to trees and branches when there is no lasting fruit- they get cut down and thrown into the fire. (John 15:6; Matt. 3:10;7:19-20)

So if we are honest with ourselves and take Paul’s advice to ‘examine ourselves’ (2 Cor. 13:5) you should be able to size up rather quickly as to whether you are truly abiding in Him based on what we read in 1 John 2:6 and 3:6. Most would have to agree...based on that - they are not abiding in Jesus. And tomorrow...I think I can tell you why that is. Join me then?