My New Position: An Example (Part 2)

{You can read Part 1 here}

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 Christ is to do, that it's energies are stirred to their highest activity, that we work most effectively because we know that He works in us. {From Andrew Murray's, Abide In Christ]

The other day I was tempted to sin by saying something I shouldn't say.  The comment would have been funny and the people I was with would have laughed; however, it would have also been sarcastic, at someone's expense, and generally not very encouraging.

For several months in my time with God I have sensed Him stirring in me to watch my words and to be more encouraging as the Bible instructs in Ephesians 4:29.  Unfortunately, after my Quiet Time these words are quickly forgotten.  Scripture memory, "will power" and trying harder have yielded little results or fruit because they are the products of my own power.  Jesus' words "apart from Me you can do nothing" expose the faults in my strategy.

But now because God is stirring me to remember my position, claim who I am in Christ, and let Him work through me a different result occurred.  When the tempting situation happened, I sensed God saying "Abide in Me". I rested in that thought, I yielded to that truth, and God's power working in me overcame the power of the temptation to speak words that would not encourage.

This same thing happened when I was tempted to feel anxious about something at church and then feel burdened to act on anxiety rather than on God's work.  Again, "Abide in Me" and the anxiety was averted and I rested in the God who never sleeps to be my peace because of my position in Christ.

The believer can each day be pleasing to God only in that which he does through the power of Christ dwelling in Him.  The daily inflowing of the life sap of the Holy Spirit is his only power to bring forth fruit.  The believer lives along in Him and is for each moment dependent on Him alone. [Andrew Murray, Abide In Christ]