aBIDING
HOW DOES ONE ABIDE IN CHRIST?
For decades the church has taught us, say “Ask Jesus into your heart” in witnessing to others. This sounds romantic and comforting, but this subtle deception has kept the church from understanding the path to sanctification for much too long. When someone is saved what actually happens is that Holy Spirit (although Spirit in unison with Jesus and the Father, a Personage of His own) enters us, convicting us of sin and leading us in all truth, the Spirit, but not the bodily form of Jesus Himself. It may be said that Holy Spirit IS the Spirit of Jesus, but not Jesus Himself. We do not possess at this stage all of the Jesus we need…
Holy Spirit bonds with our spirits in an eternal marriage and that is why we become “new creatures” in Messiah/Christ, “Therefore, if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 COR 5:17). His entrance awakens our spirit; Holy Spirit, “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Messiah—by grace you have been saved” (EPH 2:5). In this transaction, the communion lost in Eden through Adam’s sin is restored; that is, our spiritual senses are once again awakened and quickened that we may have intimate communion with our GOD and Savior as in the day when GOD created man.
When Jesus tells His disciples He must go, He tells them, however, He will send them a Comforter/Helper, 5 “But now I AM going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts [and taken complete possession of them]. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor–Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [for close fellowship with you]. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world about [the guilt of] sin [and the need for a Savior], and about righteousness, and about judgment: 9 about sin [and the true nature of it], because they do not believe in Me [and My message]; 10 about righteousness [godly character and right standing with GOD], because I AM going to My Father and you will no longer see Me; 11 about judgment [the certainty of it], because the ruler of this world (Satan) has been judged and condemned.
12 “I have many more things I would speak to you, but you cannot bear [hearing] them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father], and He will disclose to you what is coming [in the future]. 14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you” (JHN 16:5-15 AMP). Jesus makes it very clear that, although One with Him, Holy Spirit is not He.
When we tell people, “Ask Jesus into your heart,” they believe that Jesus personally resides in their heart (He does in Spirit), and they cannot understand that they must undergo a process of sanctification for His complete fullness in us. Just as when we get saved and Holy Spirit enters us, we still need the infilling or baptism of the Spirit that Holy Spirit may have complete rule in us. In the same way, when we get saved we need the complete filling of Jesus, which does not automatically happen. It is the result of pursuit.
When Paul teaches “Christ in us, the hope of glory” (CLS 1:27 BSB), he speaks from his experience in his sanctification and speaks to those like-minded and like-hearted believers among his disciples who also pursue sanctification. He is, as it were, “speaking to the choir.” Pay attention to how he addresses his believers, always as saints (one set apart for the use of GOD) or a similar description, meaning those holy ones in the sanctification process as he addresses in the following:
“To those who have been sanctified in the Messiah Jesus, saints (holy and set apart) by calling” (1 COR 1:2);
“To the church (the called-out assembly) of ELOHIM …with all the saints who are throughout Asia” (2 COR 1:1);
“To the saints who are at Ephesus, and who are faithful in Messiah Jesus” (EPH 1:1);
“To all the saints in Messiah Jesus who are in Philippi” (PHP 1:1);
“To the saints and faithful brethren in Messiah” (CLS 1:2);
“Brethren beloved by the ADON, because ELOHIM has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in truth” (2 THS 2:13);
“For the faith of those chosen by ĔLOHIM and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness” (TTS 1:1);
“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a Heavenly calling” (HBR 3:1);
“To those who reside…who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of YHVH the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit that you may obey Jesus Messiah” (1 PTR 1:1-2);
“To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours by the righteousness of our ELOHIM and Savior, Jesus our Messiah…3 seeing that the divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him Who called us by His own glory and excellence…4 and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust” (2 PTR 1:1-4).
Do these verses sound like those in your church? These passages represent only some of the addresses to the “called-out assembly” and not their entire teaching. If we acknowledge to whom the New Testament writers addressed their work, although they were read to the whole assembly, we realize that some of the promises mentioned by them apply to those who followed in the ways of the disciples and not to the general church body, who live in unbelief as they please, many of whom, calling themselves “Christians” may, in fact, not even have salvation.
How often this writer has observed during worship services, people talking or texting or playing games on their phones, NOT looking up Scriptures. Somewhere along the line, the awe and fear of GOD disappeared from modern believers. It seems today, we forget the purpose of assembly focuses on the LORD, not us or our preferences. We should not approach church for its good sermon or pleasant music or “entertainment” value. Although some of those things have importance, we must remember our primary obligation entails presenting ourselves to GOD in humility, with reverence and with thanksgiving and in worship. Anything less, negates our attendance as futile. There are no “brownie points” for simply showing up.
The word, “church,” comes from the Greek word, ěkklěsia, currently defined simply as “called out ones,” but in Roman times, when John wrote, it referred to a legal assembly with military authority and power. When Jesus says, “I will build My church (ěkklěsia) and the gates of Hades will not overpower it;” He speaks of military power and authority against Hell. No doubt some of His disciples, such as Judas, felt this confirmed His intention of overthrowing the Roman government, but even as the LORD said to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.” He spoke rather of the destiny of His chosen ones, His Bride, in overcoming the onslaught of the enemy which defies the presence of Heaven on earth.
The implication of the church existing as those “called out from the world, a governing spiritual militant force,” seems much disconnected from the “church” of our day. Whenever we read the word “church” in our Bibles, we need adjustment in our thinking to its original meaning. The writers of the New Testament held the idea of church as those consecrated, set apart to GOD, and called out from the world as they themselves, bold spiritual warriors, willingly giving their lives for the gospel; not an assembly of believers who meet in pleasant society and enjoy fellowship and entertainment for an hour or two a week. CHURCH—not a place, but a specially commissioned force!
Most believers today have never heard of the sanctification process, much less entered into it and have not set their lives apart for the service of GOD. In fact, far too many believers keep GOD for Sundays and Wednesdays perhaps and live for themselves the rest of the time. GOD never enters into any of their decisions or their activities. He is completely compartmentalized from all other aspects of their lives. This attitude is in total antipathy of what Paul is conveying when he describes Christ/Messiah living in us and through us.
Here, the writer desires the redefining of key words in Scripture, beginning with the difference between righteousness and holiness. Often these two words seem to many as interchangeable and receive treatment from pulpits accordingly. However, “righteousness” briefly means, “standing right,” the position purchased for us by the blood of Messiah. In Strong’s, the five different Hebrew words used for “righteousness” all refer to justice, equity, rectitude, being in right standing; the Greek words likewise echo the same, justification, equitably, justly, rectitude, terms referring to a legal standing.
On the other hand, “holiness” means purity and sacredness, referring to a state of godliness and consecration. Strong’s list only one Hebrew word used for “holiness,” “qodesh,” from which comes the modern Jewish word kosher. This word carries the meaning of consecration, dedicated, sanctified and saintly or set apart for the LORD. The equivalent Greek words used for holiness mean godliness, purity, sanctity, sacredness, and piety.
When righteousness applies to us, it signifies the declaration of our legal position of standing right with GOD through the redeeming blood our Savior. We receive the impartation of righteousness the moment we acknowledge Messiah as our Savior and LORD of our lives; “Not as a result of works, lest any man should boast” (EPH 2:8-9). Our names appear in the Lamb’s Book of Life (RVL 21:27). We then possess a seat in Heavenly places (EPH 2:6). Righteousness signifies our transition from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light (CLS 1:13), when Holy Spirit moves in, enlightening and quickening our dead spirit to life everlasting (RMN 8:11).
Holiness, not imparted, but achieved as Paul says, “work out your salvation in fear and trembling” (PHP 2:12). Holiness results from the process of sanctification, being set apart and consecrated to GOD, and purification, as we must “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us” (HBR 12:1). It means obtaining deliverance if needed, eschewing sin and keeping a repentant heart, making it possible for the bearing of GOD’s weighty glory in us so that we may walk as the LORD. Summing it up, the righteousness of Messiah’s sacrifice makes our spirits in right standing and perfect before GOD. Sanctification is a process in which our souls (mind, will and emotions) become holy, sanctified or set apart to GOD. Each is a separate and necessary process.
The LORD once told me that how much time we spend with Him now, directly correlates to how much access we will have to Him in eternity. So if we spend ten minutes in prayer or in the Scriptures in the morning, how much time will He spend with us in eternity? Our characters cannot change into Christlikeness until we spend time with Him, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the ADON, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of ADON” (2 COR 3:18 KJV). Simply said, that means as we spend time with the Savior, we become more like Him, advancing in levels of glory.
In Heaven, there are many levels of glory, from Paradise to the Third Heaven, where the throne of GOD stands. How much glory we acquire on earth in becoming “holy” and Christ-like determines where in Heaven we may live FOR ALL ETERNITY what assignments for which we qualify.
We read in the book of Ezekiel, that Satan was the “anointed covering cherub” (EZK 28:14), which meant he possessed a place on the mountain of GOD and walked on the stones of fire (EZK 28:14), places of great glory and intimacy with GOD; the place of the Stones of Fire not accorded to any other angel before or since. But when he fell, GOD removed him for he could no longer function in the level of glory for which he was designed for functioning as an anointed cherub, walking in intimacy with the LORD. One cannot be in sin and intimate with the LORD.
Another false doctrine promoted in the church appears in the assumption that all believers are made holy and pure when they get to Heaven and therefore, one need not pursue holiness on earth. Some even go as far as saying, if one repented at the time of salvation, one need not repent after that. However, when we pass into Heaven, our soul’s progress, our Christ-likeness, becomes fixed, determining the level of glory at which we permanently reside and in which we possess the ability of functioning and walking in the glory of Heaven. Our rewards, our eternal position in glory and assignments in Heaven depend on the level of purity our souls obtain here on earth.
“Beloved, now we are children of ĔLOHIM, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that when He appears; we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is” (1 JHN 3:2). This verse says NOT that when we get to Heaven, we will be like Him, but when “He appears.” That appearance refers to the same appearance spoken of in Titus 2:13, “The blessed hope and appearance of the glory of our Great ĔLOHIM and Savior, the Messiah Jesus,” and refers to His appearance at the Rapture. The Bride, capable of enduring His great glory, through the process of sanctification, changes by it, from glory to glory becoming more like the Savior. Those unprepared would be destroyed by that same glory.
One reason for Satan’s removal from Heaven and also the fallen angels, lies in the fact of their inability of standing in the former places of glory they once occupied, because the glory of the “Consuming Fire” consumes anything of impurity or sinfulness. That explains why when “we resist the devil (his sinfulness), he flees” (JMS 4:7). The Psalmist writes, “Who may ascend into the hill of YHVH? And who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully” (PSM 24:3-4).
Even though Satan boasted, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of ĔLOHIM. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north” (ISH 14:13); after his fall, the LORD placed him in an interdimensional space far below the stars of Heaven and in the cloud layer of the earth because he no longer could function in the Third Heaven of his assignment. His removal was necessary because he could no longer endure in that glory where he once worked and lived. He may have access to the courts of Heaven, but most likely, through technology, he attends court sessions or perhaps the LORD provides some form of protection for him.
Hence, Paul writes concerning the “babes” in Christ at Corinth, “And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of YHVH, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from YHVH, [Who is] the Spirit” (2 COR 3:18). This process does not occur automatically, but in the step-by-step work of purification/ sanctification when we seek our Savior.
We see an example of that as Messiah tells the thief beside Him, “Today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (LUK 23:43). Paradise, the lowest level of Heaven, still Heaven, still very wonderful, but not the highest level of glory because the thief lacked opportunity of becoming Christ-like before his death and cannot stand the level of glory in the throne room of the Third Heaven. Therefore, he went to the place in Heaven, suited to his ability for functioning comfortably in that level of glory and most likely, did not fulfill his destiny.
True, we become sinless in Heaven, and our sins remain covered by the blood, but temptation exists only on earth, not in the presence of GOD, our souls remain unchanged after death and so need changing before death. The spiritual strongholds which afflicted us on earth, if they remain uncleansed, their effects go to Heaven with us (without the devils involved), limiting our capacity for glory because we have not attained “Christ-likeness.”
One theologian put it this way, “At the time of salvation our spirits become saved or totally renewed and regenerated to life, as we become more Christ-like our souls (the mind, will and emotions) become progressively ‘saved;’ and when we enter Heaven, our bodies made new receive salvation or regeneration.” Paul refers to this process as “working out our salvation” (PHP 2:12), not working for salvation, but the cleansing and purification of our souls for the attainment of a better, more Christ-like resurrection in glory.
Our GOD knows us better than we know ourselves; for that reason He desires that He may help us live our lives that we may overcome in all areas and do as well as we may in our time of testing on earth. In order that we may have that extra help, we must stay close to Him and listen for His voice. When Messiah is indeed “in” us, then He lives for us and does a much better job of it. The issue at hand lies in the fact that the Savior does not automatically BODILY enter the believer at salvation; Holy Spirit does and never leaves. Now that also does not mean that the Savior is not with us. Every believer has their own personal Savior following them throughout their day, waiting for the opportunity of revealing Himself in some way.
GOD desires intimate fellowship with us; He desires that we know Him as well as possible; it will take all of eternity for that. How do we become more intimate with this Most Amazing Personage? Firstly, the LORD tells us, “You must be born again” (JHN 3:5-8). GOD speaks of the transformation or new birth that takes place in our spirits when we commit our lives to Jesus as LORD and Savior. “Savior,” meaning that His blood covers all our sin and that the blood He shed washes us clean from all guilt, changing our nature and our status with GOD; therefore,
He becomes our “LORD,” enabling us to live a holy life submitted to Him, to the praise of GOD the Father. Holy Spirit not only takes part in convicting us of our sin, but sets up permanent residence in us, helping us with all aspects of our new life “in Christ;” by that is meant “in His blood.” Holy Spirit takes over our training for our eternal position. If we do not discover our destiny and the path GOD gives us for walking it out, then we do get to Heaven, but end up far below the projected glory the LORD wrote for us in our book of Destiny (PSM 139:16).
There are three baptisms mentioned in the Scriptures, “John (the Baptist) answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy of untying. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire’” (LUK 3:16 NLT). When we are baptized with water, we testify that Jesus has saved us and that we begin a new life, but the journey doesn’t end there.
The LORD knew the battle the believer must fight on earth, not only for survival, but for victory, therefore He gave us the gift of Holy Spirit, Who convicts of sin and leads us into all truth, Who shows us how we should live in godliness and wisdom and how we should overcome. But when Holy Spirit first comes in, He remains within our spirit, meanwhile a raging battle is going on for our souls and our flesh, because although our spirit is quickened to life and desirous of holiness because of the eternal bond with Holy Spirit (EPH 1:13), our bodies and our souls have not yet been redeemed. That process is the process of sanctification.
We see something interesting in Jesus’ post-mortem appearances to His disciples; the first time He appeared, “Then he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (JHN 20:22 NLT), which for them was their moment of salvation. However, we read that later at His Ascension, Jesus tells the disciples, “John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (ACT 1:5 NLT). Thus, showing that the baptism of Holy Spirit differs from the portion of Holy Spirit we receive at salvation. The baptism of Holy Spirit prepares us for the work of the kingdom and provides us with spiritual tools for that work.
Holy Spirit through our prayer language cleanses and delivers, heals us and bequeaths spiritual gifts to us necessary for the fulfilling of our destinies. “And while they were gathered together, He commanded them: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift (Holy Spirit) the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit’” (ACT 1:4-5).
It wasn’t until Holy Spirit came in the event described in Acts 2, that the disciples transitioned from hiding and cowering to boldness and power. In Acts, Chapter 2, they actually received not only the infilling of Holy Spirit, but also the Baptism of Fire, “They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them” (ACT 2:3). The Baptism of Fire empowered them for mighty works in the LORD and gave them supernatural boldness.
We need the spiritual gifts imparted at the infilling of Holy Spirit and the Baptism of Fire, not only for survival and warfare, but that we may “walk in the Spirit” and NOT in the flesh. Unless, we possess the infilling of Holy Spirit, obtaining our full destiny becomes impossible, because we need the tools of the Spirit for our process of sanctification, that we may become holy clean vessels before the LORD so that His power may flow through us in the fullness He desires for us. The Baptism of Fire empowers us and emboldens us and anoints us for the work we must do.
We could not sin, if our bodies and souls had been fully redeemed at the moment of our salvation. But until we rid ourselves of generational curses and evil altars passed down through ancestral lines and the strongholds we ourselves have built through our sin, we still suffer the temptation of sin. The strongholds of sin which remain outside of our spirit are rooted in our soulish realm, but may manifest in the physical as disease or sinful behavior.
That is why Paul says, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (PHP 2:12 NASB). Not working FOR salvation, but working out the “kinks” still left over from our sinful past and approximately 6000 years of ancestral guilt, which haunts us until we get rid of them permanently.
Remember what the WORD admonishes, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the ADON” (HBR 12:14). The LORD Himself said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see ĔLOHIM (GOD)” (MTH 5:8). Striving for holiness would be impossible if not for the infilling of Holy Spirit. Throughout the Scriptures, we are admonished by the LORD that we “seek His face.” When the veil of the temple was torn, GOD made it possible for Man’s interaction once again with the spiritual realm, hearing and seeing Him just as Adam and Eve and the seers in Biblical days.
In that moment when the curtain tore, the former expulsion from the Garden was undone; “So ĔLOHIM drove the Man (Man representing all of mankind, Adam and Eve) out; and at the east of the Garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the sword with the flashing blade which turned round and round [in every direction] protecting and guarding the way to the tree of life” (GNS 3:24). When the temple curtain was torn top to bottom (against the natural way it should have split) at the time of Jesus’ death, it signified that the former alienation from GOD, resulting from the fall, was dismantled and reversed forever.
A reminder of the explulsion was placed in the tabernacle of the wilderness in the form of the curtain which separated common man from the Holies of Holies. The Holies of Holies containing the Ark of the Covenant, signifying the Presence of YHVH and His earthly throne, decorated with cherubim wielding flaming swords, could only be entered once a year by the specially anointed and sanctified high priest.
In regard to this, the writer of Hebrews asserts, “Therefore, believers, since we have confidence and full freedom to enter the Holy Place [the place where ĔLOHIM dwells] by [means of] the blood of Jesus, 20 by this new and living way which He initiated and opened for us through the veil [of the Holy of Holies], that is, through His flesh, 21 and since we have a great and wonderful Priest [Who rules] over the house of ĔLOHIM, 22 let us approach [GOD] with a true and sincere heart in unqualified assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (HBR 10:19-22).
Salvation only begins the adventure in GOD, as we study His WORD and obey it, as we spend time with Him in worship and prayer, as we acknowledge Him in all that we do, He will manifest Himself to us[i] (JHN 14:21). As we know the LORD more intimately, He trusts us more and entrusts to us wonderful spiritual gifts, so that we may walk in His power and glory, doing the things He did when He walked the earth.
GOD created us in His image (GNS 1:26) that we may become like Him, letting Him do the things He would do if He were still on the earth; loving unconditionally as He loves; showing kindness to all; blessing those who hate us and those who despitefully use us (LUK 6:28 KJB), healing and delivering all. GOD desires that we change the world with His love, a weapon more powerful than any sword or machinery of man.
Most of John’s gospel in chapters 14 and 15, revolves around the topic of “abiding” in Christ. John records Jesus’ words, “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him…Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My WORD. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (JHN 14:21-22 BSB). The Greek word used in this passage for “reveal” expresses a physical manifestation.
In the outer court of the tabernacle in the wilderness, after the Bronze Altar of sacrifice, we find the Bronze Laver, representing Water Baptism and thereby our participation with the death and resurrection of the Savior. Beyond that, inside the curtained next section of the Tabernacle, we enter the Holy Place, where we find the Golden Menorah, representing the presence and Baptism of Holy Spirit, the Altar of Incense, representing the Baptism of Fire and the Table of Showbread, representing the manifest presence of the Savior.
These articles of furniture symbolize the progression of our walk with the LORD until we eventually breach the Veil, representing our entrance into spiritual adventures with the LORD and the enablement of our spiritual senses. Our final goal is entering the Holy of Holies in union with the triune GOD at the marriage supper with the Lamb.
The point is that the Savior desires a personal and intimate relationship with each of us. He always attends us, known or unknown, that we may engage Him face-to-face. We may always hear His voice clearly—that is His desire. That is accomplished only by spending time with Him, conversing with Him and waiting for His answers. Waiting is the important part of inviting the Savior into a more intimate relationship (ISH 40:31).
The caveat–although, a Christian for many years, when this writer took the LORD at His WORD, focusing on His Presence, and began interacting with the ever-present Savior, making great effort toward remembering His inclusion in everything I did and waiting for His response, then one day He spoke to me and to this day continues as we abide together.
However, I must give a word of warning, faithfully test every spirit, every time, because the closer you draw to GOD, the more unclean spirits increase their efforts of keeping you from GOD. They do often imitate Him and if possible, do things for your discouragement/harm. Chapter 4 of 1 John gives instructions on testing the spirits, but we must also pray for discernment even if they pass the tests. That comes as we know the LORD better, then we know when something else interferes.
The prophet Jeremiah advised those of his day, “This is what YHVH says: ‘Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls’” ( JRM 6:16). In the early days of the church, the followers of Jesus were known as those who walked in “the Way”; the way of holiness and consecration, apart from the world, wholly following the voice of the LORD, ready in a moment to give all for the Savior. How do you walk?
Christian Stratiotes
[i] The Reader may desire reading the free booklet by this writer entitled “The Ancient Path” for the detailed outline of the sanctification process spelled out in the furniture of the tabernacle of the wilderness and “Generation Curses” for the understanding of spiritual cleansing.