December 29

I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. — John 15:5 BSB

The great secret in religion—the secret that is only with those who fear the Lord and to whom He reveals His covenant—is first to gain a tangible union with the Lord and then to maintain it. This union can only be achieved through a manifestation of Christ's Person and work in our hearts, joining us to Him by one Spirit. This union is like an espousal, where the soul is betrothed to Christ as a chaste virgin to one husband. From this union comes fellowship or communion with Christ, and from this communion flows all spiritual fruitfulness. It is not a barren marriage.

But this union and communion can only be maintained by abiding in Christ, and this can only happen as He abides in us. "Abide in me, and I in you." But how do we abide in Him? Mainly through faith, hope, and love—the three chief graces of the Spirit that focus on the Person and work of the Son of God. Yet, practically speaking, we must also learn that abiding in Christ requires prayer, watchfulness, patience, self-denial, separation from worldly things, study of the Scriptures, secret meditation, attending the means of grace, and much inward exercise of the soul.

The Lord is very cautious with His presence. Any indulged sin, forbidden gratification, bosom idol, or lightness of heart can provoke the Lord to withhold the enjoyment of His presence. Yet, despite His holiness and severity against sin, He is full of pity and compassion toward those who fear and love Him. When we feel the weight of our sins and confess our backslidings, He turns again and does not retain His anger forever. When we return to Him with repentance, saying, "Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously," He responds with healing and love, promising, "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away." And under His love, we, like Israel, cry, "Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?"