Abide in Christ as Your Righteousness

More Andrew Murray, from his book Abide in Christ:

(already quoted once)

Believer, abide in Christ as your righteousness. You bear about with you a nature altogether corrupt and vile, ever seeking to rise up and darken your sense of acceptance, and of access to unbroken fellowship with the Father. Nothing can enable you to dwell and walk in the light of God, without even the shadow of a cloud between, but the habitual abiding in Christ as your righteousness. To this you are called. Seek to walk worthy of that calling. Yield yourself to the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the wonderful grace that permits you to draw nigh to God, clothed in a divine righteousness.

Take time to realize that the King's own robe has indeed been put on, and that in it you need not fear entering His presence. It is the token that you are the man whom the King delights to honour. Take time to remember that as much as you need it in the palace, no less do you require it when He sends you forth into the world, where you are the King's messenger and representative.

Live your daily life in the full consciousness of being righteous in God's sight, an object of delight and pleasure in Christ. Connect every view you have of Christ in His other graces with this first one: "Of God He is made to you righteousness."  This will keep you in perfect peace.  Thus shall you enter into, and dwell in, the rest of God.

So shall your inmost being be transformed into being righteous and doing righteousness.  In your heart and life it will become manifest where you dwell; abiding in Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, you will share His position, His character, and His blessedness:  "Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest iniquity: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with oil of gladness above they fellows."  Joy and gladness above measure will be your portion.

Andrew Murray really has a way with words.  A much better way with words than me, therefore I share his words with you, in the hopes that you will gain something from his wisdom.  If not, maybe you will at least be impressed with my reading of old books and quoting them.  (I do get some "smart points" to rank higher on the "smart list" when I quote smart, eloquent people right?)

Abide in Christ

(Picture borrowed from Wikipedia)

I am reading through Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray.  I was introduced to Andrew Murray a few months ago through his book on prayer.  He was a "South African writer, teacher and Christian pastor.  You can read a little of Andrew Murray over at Wikipedia.

There were powerful, passionate words in that book on prayer that stirred in me a desire for even more prayer.  So when my wife brought home a box of books (which is possibly one of my most favorite things to happen!) I was excited to see a book by Andrew Murray.

The book is about abiding in Christ.  I won't attempt to summarize, his words are too good, but I will include a quote from "day three" in the book.

Abide in me:  These words are no law of Moses, demanding from the sinful what they cannot perform.  They are the command of love, which is ever only a promise in a different shape.  Think of this until all feeling of burden and fear and despair pass away, and the first thought that comes as you hear of abiding in Jesus be one of bright and joyous hope:  it is for me, I know I shall enjoy it.  You are not under the law, with it's inexorable Do, but under grace, with it blessed Believe what Christ will do for you.  And if the question be asked, "but surely there is something for us to do?"  the answer is, "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 Chris is to do, that its energies are stirred to their highest activity, and that we work most effectually because we know that He works in us.  It is as we see in that word IN ME the mighty energies of love reaching out after us to have us and to hold us, that all the strength of our will is roused to abide in Him.

So, there you go.  Just a taste of Andrew Murray and his powerful, passionate way with words.  The thing that I love about reading his stuff, along with many of the writers from days gone by, is that nearly every page, every paragraph contains a quotable text.  How do they do that?