“Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4a).
One can easily boast about being in Christ, just as one can claim to be another’s friend. It’s quite a different matter when there’s a mutual recognition of the friendship. Likewise, our relationship with Christ makes a real difference only when there’s a mutual and reciprocal indwelling. We can claim to know God, but can God acknowledge the same of us? Some have paid dearly for presuming to know God without ensuring that God knows them (see Mat 7:23). Your Christianity only counts when He is in you and you are in Him. Our faith is precious when we trust Him and He can also trust us to do His will. When we own Him as our Father and He affirms us as His own, we know our piety is real. “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Cor. 6:16). That mutual love, devotion and ownership should characterise our relationship with Jesus. Let that be your portion!
Pastor Josh