Abiding in Christ

 

"Abiding in Christ" is synonymous with "fellowship with Christ." The Christian is either (a) in carnality, resulting from personal sin, or (b) in fellowship with God, resulting from personal, private, confession of sin directly to God as a part of our priestly ministry. Thus, confession of personal sin—an admission of personal responsibility—is the basis for our restoration to fellowship with God and the filling by means of the Holy Spirit. Consequently, the believer has the ability to be spiritually self-sustaining—to maintain fellowship with God. (Psalm 32:5; 1 John 1:9; Luke 15:18).

Abiding is both necessary and indispensable for spiritual growth and fruit production. (John 15:1-10). In fellowship with God, the believer's task is to mature, to grow in the knowledge of Biblical truth, and to handle the blessings and trials of life in occupation with Christ. Abiding in Christ is not a result of a pious life, acts of penance, asking for forgiveness, feeling sorry for sin, or any other emotion, feeling, or work.  

/~/ Systematic Theology Context(s):

ECCLESIOLOGY

91            I. The Church as a Dispensation

92           II. The Universal Church

93          III. The Local Church

94         IV. The CHRISTIAN Way of Life

94A             A. The Christian’s Relationship to the Godhead

94B             B. The Christian's Relationship to Angels

94C             C. The Christian's Relationship to the Cosmos

94D             D. The Christian's Relationship to the Body of Christ

94E             E. A Universal Priesthood for the Christian Way of Life

94F1                1. Problem Solving Devices

94F1A                   a. The Mechanics of Spirituality

94F1A1                     (1). Confession of Sin

94F1B                   b. Filling of the Spirit

94F1C                   c. Faith-Rest

94F1D                   d. Grace Orientation

94F1E                   e. Doctrinal Orientation

94F1F                   f. Sense of Destiny

94F1G                  g. Love for God the Father

94F1H                   h. Love for All Mankind

94F1I                    i. Inner Happiness - Sharing the Happiness of God

94F1J                    j. Occupation With Christ

94F2                2. Divine Guidance

94F3                3. The Christian Walk

94F3A                  a. Abiding in Christ

                                 Abiding in Christ – Part 1 – Dr. R. L. Dean, Jr.

                                 Abiding in Christ – Part 2 – Dr. R. L. Dean, Jr.

                                 Abiding in Christ – Part 3 – Dr. R. L. Dean, Jr.

94F3B                   b. Growth and Maturity

94F3C                   c. Wisdom

94F3D                   d. Doctrine of Walking - One Day at a Time

94F3E                   e. Plan of God For the Believer in Time

94F3F                   f.  Blessings in Time

94F4                4. Christian Suffering

94F5                5. Christian Death

95           V. Church History

96         VI. Missions

 

 

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