the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 1 John 2:28. And 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. 1 John 3:24; 1 John 4:13. Neither shall evil dwell with thee. Psalms 5:4. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. 2 John 1:9.
All Is not done by coming to Jesus and being in Jesus: only ’he who "abides" in Him to the end shall be saved. When some persons have tasted of the presence of Jesus, they consider themselves saved forever. They become secure and proud, yea, at last lukewarm and cold, and instead of abiding in Jesus, they abide in an imaginary and false appropriation of His grace and righteousness, or in the empty glory that they have once possessed and known Jesus. "Abide," says John, "abide in Him. " Incessantly you must be partakers of Him; every day perceive Him in your hearts and have Him near; you must daily arouse and renew faith in Him, love to Him, communion with Him, and ever seek to preserve this living union with Jesus. To this end is needed the prayer without ceasing, which Jesus and St. Paul so highly recommend. All who have remained in Jesus, have also been faithful and enduring in prayer. Alas! a soul is soon awakened and rejoices in the coming of Jesus into the heart; but he does not hold Him fast, does not abide in Him. He has found the treasure, but does not preserve it. He will not sacrifice everything to possess it. He desires to retain Jesus and also the world together with Him. He desires to enjoy sensual joys, possessions and honor, besides Jesus; desires to be in Christ and at the same time in self. But that is impossible. If you remain in yourself and in your old conversation, Jesus can not remain in you. You must depart from your own self, deny yourself completely, and nail the old Adam to the cross. Otherwise you cannot be a disciple of Jesus, nor "abide" in Him.
Be Thou my Strength, be Thou my Way,
Protect me Through my life’s short day:
In all my acts let wisdom guide.
And keep me, Savior, near Thy side.
