His love was expressed in the prom ise of His return to receive them unto Himself (John 14:1-3). His love was expressed in the institution of the Lord’s Supper which was to be a love tryst, a meeting place of sacred com munion till He comes again (John 13). His love was expressed in the legacy of peace which He imparted to them when He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” (John 14: 27). His love was expressed in every act, every word, every instruction which He gave during these intimate moments. Note: But perhaps most significant is the expression of His love in the an- "The Watchful Servant" Ye servants of the Lord, Each in his office wait, Observant of His heavenly Word, And watchful at His gate. Let all your lamps be bright. And trim the golden flame; Gird up your loins, as in His sight, For awful is His Name. Watch: 'tis your Lord's command, And while we speak He's near; Mark the first signal of His hand, And ready all appear. » Oh, happy servant he, In such a posture found! He shall his Lord with rapture see, And be with honor crowned. — Philip Doddridge nouncement to them of the new rela tionship which was to exist between Him and the believer during this age following the coming of the Holy Spir it. In the 15th chapter He uses the familiar vine and branches to illustrate the new relationship to them and ex plains that as a result of this, “ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.” Now, since Jesus is discussing the relationship of the believer to Him self during this very age in which we live, I submit to you that this is some thing that vitally concerns each of us who know Him. But, I question how many of us have ever really experi
enced the blessed truths presented here. Yet, we cannot deny or escape the fact that the abiding, fruitbearing life pre sented here is given to us as an at tainable reality, when we will simply believe and receive, and permit Him to have His way with us moment by moment. Let us look first at four conditions which are to be met before this prom ised relationship can be experienced. In verses 2 and 4 the absolute neces sity of a vital union with Jesus Christ is presented. “Abide in Me and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit except it abide in the vine, no more- can ye except ye abide in me.” It is the life of the VINE coursing through, the branch that causes fruit to be borne. This is a day in which almost every-1 thing can be simulated and it has become difficult to tell that which is real from that which is imitation. Un fortunately, that is sometimes true even in religion, but when the acid test of life’s vicissitudes is applied, that which is false becomes readily apparent. Hear Jesus’ words again, “as the branch can not bear fruit in itself, no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” There must be a vistal union with Christ Him self resulting from the new birth. Verse 2 of our text speaks of cleasing. How vital that as believers we daily, expose ourselves to the cleansing of the Word of God and the application of the blood of Christ to our sins. “Abide in me,” how beautiful are these words, and yet I wonder if we really understand them. Dr. Harry Ironside was once asked by an individ ual to explain what it meant to abide in Christ. In reply he simply said, “If instead of love there'is unkindness; if instead of joy there is gloom; if instead of peace there is unrest; if instead of longsuffering there is impatience; if instead of gentleness there is harshness; if instead of goodness there is moral evil; if instead of faith, worry and lack of confidence; if instead of meekness, pride and haughtiness; if instead of self-control you are subject to the lust of the flesh — that tells the story, and (Continued on next page) 17
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