Abiding In Christ

I spoke on “Abiding in Christ” a couple of weeks ago … so it has been on my mind a lot. In our daily walk I believe one of the most difficult things for us to do is to abide in Christ. Yeah, for many Christians we can check off a list of “do’s” and “don’ts” but do we actually abide in Christ. In our walk, whether were on the “mountain” top or the “valley” are we consistently abiding in Christ? I believe it becomes almost like a “second” nature for us to keep a faithful walk when everything is going our way, but what happens when everything is not going our way. When it looks like the world around you is falling apart and you are dazed and confused. During this time, do we find ourselves still abiding in Christ? As I ponder and prayed through this concept of living a faithful walk by living in Christ, I was reminded of the Old Testament story of Joseph. For those who have never heard of Joseph the following is a brief overview of his life:

Joseph was born to Jacob. The Bible teaches that Joseph was favored so much by Jacob that he was given a coat of many colors. One day Joseph had a vision that he would one day rule is brothers. His brothers did not like this… so one day when they were away from their father on a trip they sold Joseph. This event started a “roller coaster” ride for Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery where he worked for Potiphar. Joseph was then falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and then thrown into jail. While in jail, he was able to interpret the dreams of a butler and baker. The butler then in turn was able to help Joseph out. Of course, it was a couple of years later which meant Joseph spent a few years in jail for a crime he did not commit. After leaving jail, Joseph was able to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh. This interpretation led to Joseph becoming the second person in all of Egypt. It wasn't long before his brother came to Egypt for help. It is at this time that Joseph’s vision became truth and his brothers bowed before him and he ruled over them.

Now, this was an abbreviated version of Joseph’s story so when you get a chance please go read it in its entirety. (Starts in Gen 37) As I read through the life of Joseph, I notice that throughout this whole time Joseph never strayed from abiding in Christ. When he was sold into slavery and worked for Potiphar, he still abided in Christ and did not fall to temptation. When he was in prison and interpreting the dreams of the butler and baker, he gave all of the praise to God. When he was interpreting the dream of pharaoh, he gave all of the praise to God. Countless times throughout the story of Joseph we see a version of the following statement, “And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand.” (Gen 39:3) I believe that this verse should be are goal when it comes to abiding in Christ. As Christians, we should be so ingrained into God that when people look as us they say, “The Lord is with him”. A form of the statement was mad about Joseph in every stage of life. Whether he was on the “top of the mountain” or in the “deepest valley”, Joseph was described as having the Lord with him.

• Are you striving to abide in Christ at every stage of life? Whether things are going good or bad?
• When people look at you do they say, “The Lord is with him”?
• Today, whether you’re enjoying the top of the mountain or holding on for dear life in the valley remember the story of Joseph and strive to abide in Christ.