January 18th
THE POWER OF CHRIST’S ABIDING
1 Kings 17:17 And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.
A widow sustained Elijah, and he abode there. The Son of the woman became ill. Was this mere calamity or the power of God in operation? Elijah is a type of Christ, and the son of the woman pictures man in his fallen state. The fallen nature cannot continue in the Presence of God so let us see what happens to that nature as God ABIDES in a house. Jesus said He and Father would come and make their abode with us if we love Him and keep His commandments (John 14:23). As He abides, we are changed. The fallen nature or self diminishes unto death, and the spirit man in the Image of and in union with Christ is exalted. The fallen man’s true nature was exposed, and he became sick and died. He is capable of no more than death no matter how much he is tended unto. God’s spirit is not in the fallen man but in His new creation, and they cannot share the same tabernacle.
Pause and reflect on this truth. Tomorrow’s conclusion of this lesson will give the reader a glimpse of the believer’s inheritance in Christ. Is He abiding in your house? Are you fighting your transformation or yielding to His love and power?
Continued