Christopher Powers, Instagram, @fullofeyes
DAY 34, MERRY CHRISTMAS
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
It is Christmas Day! Not that we believe the date is the day Jesus was born. But never allow the discussion about the date to distract you of the wonderful fact that Jesus was born!
Being a Christian means allowing Jesus to find a place in our hearts, every day.
Remain in Christ
“Religion means the abiding of Christ in the heart.” Ellen G. White, The Review and Herald, May 24, 1892, par.4
“It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and the Spirit of God, re- ceived into the heart by faith, is the beginning of the life eternal.” Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.388
Note the following:
Through the Holy Spirit, Christ lives in us.
We receive the Holy Spirit by faith.
This is the beginning of eternal life.
The knowledge that Jesus wants to live in me through the Holy Spirit, and actually does when I am filled with the Holy Spirit, is very valuable to me. This is a wonderful biblical truth.
Jesus not only wants to have intimate fellowship with us by living in us through the Holy Spirit, but He also desires consistency and a deepening of our relationship with God. He says,
“Abide in Me, and I in you” John 15:4
This is a wonderful invitation and, at the same time, a command. This means that a consistent Christian life is possible through God’s power.
Jesus emphasizes the term abide eleven times in John 15:1–17. He wants us to have a lasting relationship with Him. He connects splendid and incredible promises with this idea.
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11
Ellen White clarifies Jesus’ appeal to “abide in Me, and I in you”,
“Abiding in Christ means [1] a constant receiving of His Spirit, [2] a life of unreserved surrender to His service.” Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.676
Elsewhere she says,
“A connection with the divine agency every moment is essential to our progress. We may have had a measure of the Spirit of God, but by prayer and faith we are continually to seek more of the Spirit… He [Jesus] will live through them, giving them the inspiration of His sanctifying Spirit, imparting to the soul a vital transfusion of Himself.” Ellen G. White, Ye Shall Receive Power (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2012), October 24, pp.305-306.