The Presence Of Christ

by G. Jarvie | Category: Training For Service | Mar 1961

In Colossians 1.27, we read, "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

This is the riches of the glory of the mystery of the Church which is

Christ's Body. Christ is the believer's hope of glory, and his life

(Colossians 3.4).

But in Ephesians 3.17, we read, "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." This is different. This dwelling in our hearts results in fellowship with Him. Many believers seem to lack this experience ; the sweetness of the presence of Christ. This is what we all need, and the Master longs that we should have it.

In the Old Testament such portions as the Song of Songs and Psalm 45, set forth to us this truth of the presence of Christ, and evidently some of the Old Testament saints knew it dimly or in part. In the New Testament it is freely promised to us. John 15 is one of the portions which speak much of His abiding in us. "Abide in Me," He said, "and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine ; so neither can ye, except ye abide in Me" (verse 4). The servant of Christ must seek this abiding; he must know the presence of Christ.

If we abide in Him, and He abides in us, then we shall bear much fruit (verse 5). If we abide in Him and His words abide in us, then we shall ask and receive (verse 7). It is obvious that this abiding in Christ is not the experience of every believer, though it can be, and should be, the experience of every one.

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." So then, faith is the secret of His abiding. When we realize our need of Him for salvation, we receive Him, and His salvation by faith. So we must realize our need of Him day by day for fellowship and fruitfulness, and we must walk with Him day by day by faith. We must realize that apart from Him we can do nothing; we should refuse to go one day without Him, claiming His presence day by day by faith.

What a difference His presence makes to our otherwise drab lives. It sounds unbelievable, and yet it is true, that He will come and abide with us. Many believers seem to have occasional mountain-top experiences, and then long periods in the valleys of defeat. They need His presence day by day. But will He come and dwell with us? And will He always dwell with us? Can it really be possible for us to have the constant fellowship of the Son of God ?

Revelation 3.20 is a promise that we must believe and claim. This was written to the church in Laodicea, and therefore also for us. Evidently they were rich in money, and thought themselves to be in need of nothing. Yet though they were believers, baptized and in a church of God, they had no real fellowship with Christ. He was in them, lie was their life, but He was not abiding in them. Therefore they were poor, and miserable, and blind, and wretched, and naked. They had everything but Christ, therefore they had nothing. This is a true description of every Christian who does not know fellowship with Christ.

Standing outside, He knocked at the door of their hearts, and offered to come in and abide with anyone who would open the door. Oh the marvel of it ! Yes, this is Christ dwelling in the heart by faith, and what a transformation His presence makes in our lives! But will He really come so simply as this ? Yes, He says He will, and He does.

The wise servant of Christ will see that nothing hinders this abiding daily, for the servant ought not to serve, even for a day, without the Master's presence. Paul knew this, for he wrote, " For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1.21). It was the presence of Christ with Him which enabled him to suffer and to sing in the prison at Philippi, and to overflow with joy in all his affliction. Only this same Presence will enable us to suffer and to sing.

Some of the Old Testament writers seem to have known something of this as the Spirit of Christ enabled them to do so. The sons of Korah wrote about Him in Psalm 45, and their hearts overflowed as they did so. Solomon saw something of this when He wrote the Song of Songs. "Rightly do they love Thee," he wrote. If any servants of Christ attempt today to serve Him without the sweetness of His presence, or doubt if it is possible to know it, this is a great. mistake. His presence should be first, and His service second. It was this lesson that the Lord taught Martha when she was cumbered with her much service (Luke 10.38-42). This is one of the lessons that all the Lord's servants, both brethren and sisters, should take to heart. The LORD is a great God and a great King, and He is not worthily served in fussy or anxious service (Psalm 95.8). Let us bathe our souls in the sunshine of His presence, and then His service will be sweet indeed. First things first. Let our morning prayer be, that He will come and spend the day with us, and sup with us, that we may sup with Him.

But what if we ask it, and yet fail to know His presence? someone may ask. Then we must seek the cause. If there is nothing to put right in our lives; if there is no unconfessed sin against God; or unconfessed offence against another, then only lack of faith can rob us of His presence. He has promised that if we open the door lie will come and abide, and sup with us, and we with Him.

0 blessed Master, may we serve Thee better,

And love Thee more, and one another day by day;

Till in Thy presence, serving days here ended,

We serve Thee there, and rest in Thee for aye.

G. Jarvie | Mar 1961
Training For Service