Abiding in Jesus
Abiding in Jesus
I N T RO D U C T I O N
Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from
God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what
is] evil and
He Himself tempts no one.
But every person is tempted when he is drawn away,
enticed
and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).
Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives
birth to
sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth
death.
James 1:13-15 AMP
Single people sometimes
express the difficulty of keeping
themselves pure. (See the following prayers on purity.)
Some have asked, “Doesn’t God understand that we are only
human? Why did He create us with desires? Surely He
understands and excuses us when we fall into temptation. If He
wants me to avoid sexual temptation, then why doesn’t He send
me the spouse I have asked Him to give me?”
The Scri p t u res condemn premarital sex, fornication,
adultery, and all forms of sexual perversion (Matt. 15:19; Mark
7:21 AMP; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5,6). Although sexual
desires are
not a sin, if not properly controlled, those desires can lead to
sin.
According to James 1:13-15, sin begins with a thought
conceived from lust. Lust is not limited to sex. It is possible to
lust
after many things that can cause sin. That’s why it is so
important
to take control over the mind and heart to keep them pure and
holy — in spite of temptation.
One of the myths that has ensnared many single people is
the mistaken idea that marriage will autom a t i cally release
them
from the temptation to sin. Without repentance and the
re n ewing of the mind, those who have a problem with lustful
thoughts before they are married will have the same pro b l e m
after they are married, just as those who have a problem with
sexual perve r s i on before marriage will continue to have the
same
p roblem after marriage.
One married man shared his testimony of deliverance from
pornography. He was having to continually guard himself from
mental images that kept reappearing.
Marriage is not a cure-all for sexual sins or any other sin.
Yes, God does understand. With every temptation He has
provided a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13).
Yes, there is forgiveness for sin (1 John 1:9) — through God’s
abounding grace (Rom. 5:20). The question is, “...Are we to
remain in sin in order that God’s grace (favor and mercy) may
multiply and overflow? Certainly not! How can we who died to
sin live in it any longer?” (Rom. 6:1,2 AMP).
We who are in Christ desire to bring glory to the Father.We
cannot do so in our own strength. It is abiding in union with
Jesus
and loving as Jesus loves that ensures answered prayers. ( John
15:7-9). If our prayers are not being answered, it is time to
check
our love walk. We must ask ourselves, “Are we keeping ourselves
in the love of God — remaining vitally united with Jesus?”
We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not
[deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin,
but the
One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over
and
protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him
preserves him
against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay
hold (get a grip)
on him or touch [him].
1 John 5:18 AMP
This verse says that the wicked one cannot touch us.What
is the con d i t i on? Having Christ’s presence within, s t aying
united with Him — abiding in Him and all owing His Wo rd to
abide in us.
If you want to abide in Christ and have His Word abide in
you, pray the following prayer with a sincere and believing heart.
P RAY ER
Lord, I am abiding in Your Word [holding fast to Your
teachings and living in accordance with them]. It is my desire to
be Your true disciple. I am abiding in (vitally united to) the
vine.
I cannot bear fruit unless I abide in You.
Lord, because You are the Vine and I am a branch living in
You, I bear much (abundant) fruit. Apart from You [cut off from
vital union with You] I can do nothing. Your Son, Jesus, said, “If
you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain
in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will,
and it shall be done for you” ( John 15:7 AMP).
When I bear (produce) mu ch fruit, You, Father, are hon o re d
and glorified. By Your grace that I have re c e i ve d , I will
show and
p rove myself to be a true follower of Your Son , Jesus. He has
l oved me, [just] as You, Father, have loved Him. I am abiding in
that love .
Lord, You have assured me that if I keep Your
commandments [if I continue to obey Your instructions], I will
abide in Your love and live in it, just as Your Son, Jesus, obeyed
Your commandments and lived in Your love. He told me these
things, that Your joy and delight may be in me and that my joy and
gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.
This is Your commandment: that we love one another [just] as
You have loved us.
Father, thank You for Your Word — it is the truth that makes
me free. I am born (begotten) of You, Lord, and I do not
[deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practice sin. Your
nature
abides in me [Your principle of life remains permanently within
me]; and I cannot practice sinning because I am born (begotten)
of You. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin
against You.
May Christ through my faith [actually] dwell (settle down,
abide, make His permanent home) in my heart! It is my desire to
be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that I may
have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the
saints [Your devoted people, the experience of that love] what is
the breadth and length and height and depth [of it].
I pray, in the name of Jesus, that I may know this love that
surpasses knowledge — that I may be filled to the measure of all
Your fullness. Now to You Who is able to do immeasurably more
than all I ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work
within me, to You be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Scripture References
John
8:31 AMP 1 John 3:9 AMP
John
15:4,5 AMP Psalm 119:11
John
15:7-12 AMP Ephesians 3:17,18 AMP
John
8:32 Ephesians 3:19-21 NIV
John 17:17
