You may or may not be familiar with the ‘Frederick Experiment’. Back in the thirteenth century, the German king, Frederick II, conducted a cruel experiment intended to discover what language children would naturally grow up to speak if never spoken to. King Frederick took babies from their mothers at birth and placed them in the care of nurses who were forbidden to speak in their presence.

But a second rule was imposed, as well: the nurses were not allowed to touch the infants other than for basic hygiene and feeding needs. In other words, no cuddling, hugging, kisses, cooing, etc. To his great dismay, Frederick’s experiment was cut short, but not before something tragically significant regarding human nature was revealed... the babies grew up to speak no language at all... because they all died.

Not only do we as spiritual newborns in Christ need a steady diet of spiritual food (God’s word), we also find ‘Comfort’ that comes with abiding in His presence (John 14:16). When a person truly responds to ‘The Gospel’ of the kingdom, which is usually marked by genuine humility, it in turn leads them to repentance. By the way...it is the ‘kindness/goodness of God that leads us to’ to repentance (Rom. 2:4). And we should know by now what happens if we fail to repent. (Luke 13:3,5; Rom. 8:13) Do we still need to be reminded that ‘repentance’ is NOT... ‘saying you are sorry over and over for sinning’?

There really is a ‘method’ and purpose to the way God has set this all up. We read that repentance is then followed by a “time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19) as God truly desires to “bless everyone one of us in turning us away from our iniquities”. (Acts 3:23) What was the prodigal son greeted with by the father in Luke 15?

I cannot underscore the importance of true humility that is required since God ‘resists the proud but gives grace to the humble’. (James 4:6) Now go read vs. 7-10 there as we are promised what follows when we approach God in the right spirit or mindset. When we ‘draw near to God, He will draw near to us...and lift us up.” Oh, and just in case there is any confusion as to whether you will know or not that you are moving in the right direction here, we are assured that “in His presence, there is fullness of joy”. (Ps. 16:11;34:18; Act 2:28)

And here we go again with the ‘abiding thing’- If you are lacking in this area marked by ‘fullness of joy’, there is a likely possibility that you are not truly abiding in Jesus, even during times of suffering (Acts 5:40-41). Now go read John 15:10-11. Then, much of the next chapter there in John 16 speaks to this joy that is promised and that we can be ‘full’ of joy as we abide in Him, despite the tribulations we may encounter. (John 16:20,24,33).

Yes....there is also a ‘peace’ that is included with that joy as you read in vs. 33 there. It is a ‘peace that passes all understanding’ as well. (Phil. 4:7)

Now this next and final point today is going to come across as almost too....cut and dry-simple. But oftentimes, God’s word is just that...clear as day. Are you ready for it?

Sin separates us from God; always has and always will. (Isa. 59:2). Guess what the beauty is that comes with abiding in Jesus? IF...and when we do abide...we will no longer sin. (1 John 3:6). That is what happens to any and all who are truly ‘born of God’ and begin this walk of abiding in Him. Now that is not to day as a ‘babe in Christ’ you won’t stumble and ‘mess up’ like most babies do; but that is just a short brief season we go through while undergoing the Father’s loving chastisement. (Heb. 12:5-12; 1 Cor. 3:1-3; Rom. 11:22) Please underline that part in Romans that mentions “IF...we continue in His goodness”. (abide)

Yes, I went a tad longer today, but I need to mention here that it is the peace and joy of God’s presence that guides us, that lets us know that we are truly being ‘led by His Spirit, which is what true children of God do. (Rom. 8:14; Isa. 55:12; Col. 3:15) It’s how we know when we have drifted out of ‘our lane’ (of abiding) and most likely ‘sinned’, or are about to mess up. How many times do we have to touch a hot-electric fence before we learn not to do that anymore?

Tomorrow, Lord willing...we will look at the promise of His protection that comes with abiding in Him as well.