Abide in Christ (part 1)

A few years ago I received Andrew Murray’s Abide in Christ as a gift from a friend. I wish I didn’t wait until now to read it. If you’re looking for a book that will draw out longing in your heart for the Savior Jesus, this is a book for you!

In the Preface, Murray writes, “During the life of Jesus on earth, the word He chiefly used when speaking of the relations of the disciples to Himself was, “Follow me” (Matt. 4:19). When about to leave for heaven, He gave them a new word, in which their more intimate and spiritual union with Him in glory would be expressed. That chosen word was, “Abide in me” (John 15:4).”

Here are some excerpts to meditate on from chapter 1-3:

It takes time to grow into Jesus the Vine; do not expect to abide in Him unless you will give Him that time….Take time each day, before you read, while you read, and after you read, to put yourself into living contact with the living Jesus, to yield yourself distinctly and consciously to His blessed influence. (9-10)

[Jesus has] prepared for you an abiding dwelling with Himself, where your whole life and every moment of it might be spent, where the work of your daily life might be done, and where you might be enjoying unbroken communion with Him. (14)

It is only abiding that can really satisfy the thirsty soul with drinks from the rivers of pleasure that are at His right hand. (16)

Entire surrender to Jesus is the secret of perfect rest. (21)

Jesus claims the undivided allegiance of the whole heart and life; there is not a spot in our entire lives over which He does not wish to reign; in the very least things His disciples must only seek to please Him. (21)

It is not the yoke, but resistance to the yoke, that causes the difficulty; the wholehearted surrender to Jesus, as both our Master and our Keeper, finds and secures the rest. (24)

Abiding in Jesus is nothing but the giving up of oneself to be ruled and taught and led, and so resting in the arms of Everlasting Love. (25)

Abiding in Christ is meant only for the weak and is so beautifully suited to their feebleness. It does not demand the doing of some great thing or that we first lead a holy and devoted life. No, it is simply weakness entrusting itself to a Mighty One to be kept—the unfaithful one casting self on One who is altogether trustworthy and true. Abiding in Him is not a work that we have to do as the condition for enjoying His salvation, but a consenting to let Him do all for us, in us, and through us. It is a work He does for us: the fruit and the power of His redeeming love. Our part is simply to yield, to trust, and to wait for what He has engaged to perform. (28)

There is always the thought of a work that has to be done, and even though they pray for help, still the work is theirs. They fail continually and become hopeless, and the despondency only increases the helplessness....You are not under the law, with its inexorable do, but under grace, with its blessed believe what Christ will do for you. (29)

Our doing and working are but the fruit of Christ’s work in us. It is when the soul becomes utterly passive, looking and resting on what Christ is to do, that its energies are stirred to their highest activity, and we work most effectively because we know that He works in us. (30)

Christ’s aim is to have me abiding in Him. (31)

God’s truth must at once be acted on. Oh, yield yourself this very day to the blessed Savior in the surrender of the one thing He asks of you: give up yourself to abide in Him. He Himself will work it in you. You can trust Him to keep you trusting and abiding. (32)