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Andrew Murray on "Becomiing a true worshipper" #4.2

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Published on July 01, 2016 22:38

June 17, 2016

An Overview of Andrew Murray's theology of the Holy Spirit #5.1

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An Overview of Andrew Murray��s Theology of the Holy Spirit #5.1

by Olea Nel [image error]

In 1888 Andrew Murray wrote one of his most insightful works on the Holy Spirit titled: The Spirit of Christ. I��m using an edition published by Bethany House in 2006 titled: The Indwelling Spirit.

Murray��s aim with this book is to show that justification by faith is only a means to an end. Echoing the Fathers of the Dutch Second Reformation (also called the Continuing Reformation), he states that the Reformation did not go far enough in explaining God��s full plan of salvation and what He intended for us here on earth through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

As many readers will be interested to learn what Murray believed in relation to the Holy Spirit, I have gathered some important clues below. They are broad brushstrokes only, but will put to rest a few unsubstantiated claims that have appeared in the literature over the years.

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Clue one:
The difference between my spirit and the Holy Spirit

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My spirit is the true expression of myself. The Holy Spirit renews that inmost self, then dwells in it and fills it. ��Andrew Murray

In other words, when we become Christians, God bestows on us a two-fold blessing through the Holy Spirit. He gives us a new spirit, then comes to dwell within our spirit.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. . . . And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

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Clue two:
God��s twofold gift is simultaneous, but we may not be aware of it

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Murray says that the twofold gift of a new spirit and the Holy Spirit dwelling within it happens simultaneously because ��the Spirit isn��t divided.��

He quotes John 3:6b to support this claim: ��The Spirit gives birth to spirit.��

In other words, it��s the Holy Spirit who imparts to us a new spirit and then makes His abode in it. Nevertheless we may experience His coming in different ways.

(Please be aware that many theologians and pastors during the 1800s used the terms ��baptism�� and ��filling�� synonymously. And so does Andrew Murray. You will find that he alternates between the two throughout this book.)

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Filling type one: The gentle inflow (pp. 278-280)

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Murray likens this type of filling to a reservoir that has been constructed for collecting water from a spring. The filling of it is the result of a gentle inflow. Its supply is steady and certain.

In a similar way, says Murray, ��the quiet presence of the Spirit when a soul is converted is steady and sure, and yet not always so easily identified.��

He goes on to say that despite this fact, the fullness of the Spirit is nonetheless observed in these believers by their deep devotion to Jesus. Unfortunately, in some believers, this quiet inflow my only extend to the upper currents of the soul��s life. This is because they have failed to ��abide in the Vine.��

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Filling type two: The rushing torrent

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Murray likens this filling (or baptism, as he also calls it) to a reservoir that has been built in a hollow to catch the rushing waters after heavy rain. For him, this type can be equated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

In a similar way, the outpourings of the Spirit during times of revival may result in a sudden, mighty manifestation of the Spirit in both Christians and those being saved.

Nevertheless, says Murray, this sudden filling can often be superficial because the depths of the will and inner life may not be touched. As with the ��gentle inflow�� group, this condition is usually due to the incapacity of the believer to maintain what has been given.

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Which is the true way?

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For Murray, the answer is simple. He says:

Blessed are those who can recognize God in both, and keep themselves ready to be blessed in whatever way He chooses to come.

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Clue three:
Renewed outpourings of the Holy Spirit

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The third clue is found at the end of chapter two where Murray says:

He (Jesus) cleanses with His blood and baptizes with the Spirit according to EACH NEW NEED.

Murray, who experienced several revivals, was a firm believer in renewed outpourings of the Spirit (p. 282) and the ��ceaseless inflow�� of the sap (the Holy Spirit) from the living Vine (p. 281).

He also believed that we need a daily infilling of the Holy Spirit to maintain God��s conscious presence.

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Clue four:
An important condition for receiving the fullness of the Spirit

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In relation to receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit, Murray mentions an important condition that he addresses to believers who think they have done all what God has demanded of them, but have failed to receive the blessing. It is this: Any true ABIDING of the Spirit is preceded by EMPTYING.

In a rare testimony that obviously refers to himself, Murray says:

��I sought the blessing long and earnestly,�� says one, ��and I wondered why it did not come. At last I found it was because there was no room in my heart to receive it.��

He goes on to say that this realization is preceded by:

�� A deep dissatisfaction with religion
�� A consciousness of too much stress on the wisdom of the work of the flesh
�� A confession that self has been in control
�� A deep sense of helplessness to grasp what is being offered

And finally:

�� A surrender in poverty of spirit to wait on the Lord
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Conclusion

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During his years as a pastor and while on preaching tours, Murray had observed the never-ending stumbling and rising of Christians in their spiritual walk. Knowing that we, his readers, would in all probability be in the same boat, he sets out to introduce us to the work of the Holy Spirit and how we too can experience His abiding fullness.

I found The Spirit of Christ to be an inspiring work well worth studying and writing blog posts about, especially as it comes from the pen of someone whose life (after his spiritual turning point in 1882) exemplified the fullness of the Spirit in every aspect.

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References:

Murray, Andrew, The Indwelling Spirit. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2006.

Amazon link: http://amzn.to/1OOLNkD

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You may also like to read ��other blog posts in this series

Andrew Murray on "Entering God's Presence" #4.3

Andrew Murray on "The Chief Lesson of Effective Prayer��#4.4

Andrew Murray on "Praying to be filled with the Spirit" #4.5

Andrew Murray on "Praying as a Friend of God" #4.6

Andrew Murray on "Praying for Laborers" #4.7

Andrew Murray on 'Definite Prayer' #4.8

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Published on June 17, 2016 22:11

May 25, 2014

Andrew Murray book-list in publication order #1.11

Andrew Murray book-list in Publication Order #1.11

Compiled by Olea Nel

As I’ve just completed the series of blog posts on Abide in Christ , and will be beginning a new series on Like Jesus shortly, I thought it time to compile a list of Andrew Murray’s best known books in publication order. This is also the order I’ll be using to explore the themes in these works.
Over the years we mature and grow in Christ, and so did Andrew Murray. It’s important therefore to know when he wrote a certain book, what inspired him to do so (if that information is available to us), and if he gained new insights into Scripture or was influenced by other writers along the way.
The list includes English works only
I have only itemizes those works written or translated into English during Andrew Murray’s lifetime. Only major works have been included. After his death, many of his articles were compiled into books, and several of his Dutch works were translated into English. Some of these found their way into his pocket-book series, which I’ve listed in full below.
When there was a significant timelapse between the publication of a Dutch work and its translation in English, I have also included the date of publication of the Dutch work.

Titles in publication order

1. Abide in Christ—Dutch 1864; English 1882

2. Like Christ—1884

3. The New Life—Dutch 1885; English 1891

4. With Christ in the School of Prayer—1885

5. Holy in Christ—1887

6. The Spirit of Christ—1888

7. Wholly for God—Dutch 1890; English 1893

8. Be Perfect—1893

9. Jesus Himself—1893

10. The Holiest of All—1894

11. Let us Draw Nigh—1894

12. Power of the Blood of Christ—1894

13. Why do you not believe—1894

14. The Master’s Indwelling—1895

15. The Believers Full Blessing of Pentecost—Dutch 1894; English 1907

16. Eagle Wings—1895

17. The Spiritual Life—1895

18. The Power of the Spirit (Extracts from William Law)—1895

19. Have Mercy upon Me—1895

20. Absolute Surrender—1895

21. Humility—1895

22. Waiting on God—1896

23. The Divine Indwelling—1896

24. They Mystery of the True Vine—1897

25. The Lord’s Table—1897

26. The Ministry of Intercession—1897

27. Money—1897

28. The School of Obedience—1898

29. The Fruit of the Vine—1898

30. The Two Covenants—1898

31. Pray without Ceasing—1898

32. Divine Healing—1900

33. Thy Will Be Done—1900

34. Out of His Fullness—1900

35. Working for God—1901

36. The Key to the Missionary Problem—1901

37. Working For God—1902

38. The Inner Chamber—1905

39. Aids to Devotion—1909

40. The State of the Church—1911

41. The Prayer Life—1913

42. The Secret of Intercession (Pocket book)—1914

43. The Secret of Adoration (Pocket book)—1914

44. The Secret of the Faith Life (Pocket book)—1915

45. The Secret of Inspiration (Pocket book)—1916

46. Back to Pentecost—1917

Pocket-book series

Only the four pocket books indicated above were published during Andrew Murray’s lifetime. His family decided to compile eight more from sermons and shorter articles in keeping with his original idea of having twelve pocket books—one for every month of the year. Below is the complete list in original publication order.

1. The Secret of Intercession

2. The Secret of Adoration

3. The Secret of the Faith Life

4. The Secret of Inspiration

5. The Secret of the Abiding Presence

6. The Secret of United Prayer

7. The Secret of Fellowship

8. The Secret of the Cross

9. The Secret of Brotherly Love

10. The Secret of Power from on High

11. The Secret of Christ Our Life

12. The Secret of the Throne of Grace

Tags: Andrew Murray’s book list in publication order, Pocket-book series

First published in: http://www.onandrewmurray.com

Olea Nel—Exploring the life and works of Andrew Murray

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You may also be interested in reading the previous blogs in the series on Abide in Christ:

#1.8 To abide: Through God's pruning knife

#1.9 To abide: By letting God mortify self

#1.10 21 Quotations from Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray

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Published on May 25, 2014 01:40

May 18, 2014

21 Quotations from Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray #1.10

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21 Quotations from
Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray #1.10

Compiled by Olea Nel

The blessings you once enjoyed was lost. The answer is very simple: you wandered from the Lord.

The first coming gave but single drops to taste—‘tis only the abiding that can really satisfy the thirsty soul and drink of the river of pleasure that are at His right hand.

You did well to come; you do better to abide.

Abiding in Him is not a work that we have to do as the condition for enjoying His salvation, but consenting to let Him do all for us. Our part is simply to yield, to trust, and to wait for what He has engaged to do.

Our rest is in Christ, and not something He gives apart from Himself. And so it is only in having Him that the rest can really be kept and enjoyed.

The daily inflowing of the life-sap of the Holy Spirit is the Christian’s only power to bring forth fruit.

It is for fruit—much fruit—that the Father has made us one with Jesus.

The old nature of the believer remains evil to the last.

God does His work by moving us to do our work.

Retire frequently with Him into the inner chamber of the heart, where the gentle voice of the Spirit is only heard when all is still.

There is no other way of becoming holy but by becoming partakers of the holiness of Christ.

The measure of sanctification will depend on the measure of abiding in Him. As the soul learns wholly to abide in Christ, the promise is increasingly fulfilled.

Faith is the putting ourselves quietly into God’s hands for Him to do His work.

Remember, it is God who worketh both to will and to do.

Exercise yourself in living in the present moment. Each time your attention is free to occupy itself with the thought of Jesus—whether it be with time to think and pray, or for a few passing seconds—let your first thought be to say: now at this moment I do abide in Christ.

The interchange of giving up and taking in is a life process, and may not cease for a moment.

The surrender of all to Christ—is it a single step, the act and experience of a moment—or is it a course of daily renewal and progressive attainment? It is both.

If but your ear be open, your thoughts brought into subjection, your heart prepared in silence to wait upon God and to hear what He speaks, He will reveal to you His secrets.

One would think that no message could be more beautiful or welcome that this: that we may rest and be quiet, and that God will work for us and in us. And yet, how far this is from being the case. And how slow many are to learn that quietness is blessedness; that quietness is strength; that quietness is the source of the highest activity—the secret of all true abiding in Christ.

The secret of the prayer of faith is the life of faith—the life that abides in Christ alone.

When we gather together all the attributes of God—His infinity, His perfection, His immensity, His majesty, His omnipotence—and consider them as the rays of glory of His love, we still fail in forming any conception of what that love must be. It is the love that passeth understanding.

First published in: http://www.onandrewmurray.com

Tags: Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray, 21 Quotations from Abide in Christ

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You may also be interested in reading the previous blogs in this series on Abide in Christ:

#1.8 To abide: Through God's pruning knife

#1.9 To abide: By letting God mortify self

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Published on May 18, 2014 01:32

April 13, 2014

To Abide: By letting God mortify self #1.9

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Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray
To Abide: By letting God mortify SELF #1.9

By Olea Nel

Photograph below is of vinyards in Stellenbosch, Cape, courtesy National Geographic

We cannot mortify self[image error]

Andrew Murray states that the mortification of self is not something we can do, for in reality Christ has already done it for us. And even though we may be ignorant of this fact at our conversion, we have become partakers of His death and resurrection.

So what we have to do now is to consent to have the life of self replaced with the life of Christ. This means giving up our willing and working for Christ’s willing and working. And the only way we can do that is to allow the life of Christ to take full possession of us. Because when we do, the power of His holy presence will cast out the old life.

But how do we enable this to happen?

Walter Marshall comes to Andrew Murray’s rescue

Andrew Murray battled with self and pride during the first six years of his ministry. In his letters to his father during that time, he would continually complain about his pride breaking out, and his ability to do nothing about it—try as he might. Fortunately, during a year’s sojourn in Europe in 1855/56, he bought numerous books. One of them was a work by the Puritan Walter Marshall titled: The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification.

For a brief overview of this work, I would like to recommend an article by Shane Becker titled: Walter Marshall to my Rescue It’s an excellent post, and will bring to life Andrew Murray’s own assertions regarding Marshall, although Andrew describes the How in more detail.

Sanctification by faith

Andrew Murray stresses that getting rid of self and pride is part of our sanctification process. In Chapter 9 of Abide in Christ, he quotes 1 Corinthians 1: 30 in this respect. His quotation, however, is based on the Dutch Bible. It reads: “Of God are ye in Christ Jesus, who has made unto us wisdom from God, both righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.”

The RSV translates this verse as follows: “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.”

Andrew Murray goes on to say (as he has already done several times elsewhere) that while we regard our justification by faith in Christ as God’s work, we tend to think of the process of sanctification as ours. Speaking of himself, he says that we often struggle hopelessly for years until we listen to the teaching of the Holy Spirit that sanctification is to be appropriated by faith alone.

But HOW? comes the question

First, we need to understand that in our flesh dwells no good thing. And although we are crucified with Christ, our old nature is not yet dead. It will therefore rise up and show itself at the least chance it gets. But the new nature is there also, and is able to communicate God’s holiness to us through Christ our sanctification.

So in order to partake of Christ’s holiness, we need to abide in Him in increasing measure so that the promise is increasingly fulfilled.

It is only as our daily fellowship with Christ grows stronger that the power of His holy presence will cast out the old life.

We need to renew our consecration daily

Andrew Murray closes his discussion on the mortification of self by urging us to DAILY accept BY FAITH our position as ransomed from the tyrant of self. Speaking to his readers directly he says, “Bring every interest of your life, every power of nature, all the unceasing flow of thought and will and feeling that make up life, and trust Him to take the place that self once filled.”

So what route will you take to sanctification?

Will it be the CARNAL way that Shane Becker coins “Sola-bootstrapsa,” whereby you resolve to do your utmost to rid yourself of self and expect Christ to support your efforts? Or, will it be the SCRIPTURAL way, whereby you maintain a daily fellowship with Christ and consent to let Him do all for you, and in you and through you by exercising your faith?

References

Abide in Christ: chapters 3, 9 & 29

First published in: http://www.onandrewmurray.com

Tags: Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray, The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall, Sanctification by faith

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You may also be interested in reading the previous blogs in this series on Abide in Christ:

#1.8 To abide: Through God's pruning knife

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Published on April 13, 2014 01:23

To Abide: Through God's pruning knife #1.8

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The Mystery of the True Vine by Andrew Murray
To Abide: through God’s pruning knife #1.8

By Olea Nel

Photograph below is of an old vine growing behind Andrew Murray’s childhood home in Graaff-Reinet

A topic we tend to avoid[image error]

For many of us, this is not a topic we like to hear about because we often conjure up strange ideas as to what God’s pruning knife actually is. In Andrew Murray’s day, especially in South Africa, most thought it was affliction. But Andrew questions this assumption by pointing to the fact that many Christians go through life free from both adversity and illness.

The WORD: God’s pruning knife

The answer, according to Andrew Murray, is the Word of God as described in Hebrews 4: 12. It states: “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Turning his attention to those who are experiencing affliction, Andrew urges them to sanctify it through the discipline of the Word, just as St. Paul did with his thorn in the flesh. In this way they can make it become a blessing.

In St. Paul’s case, it was only when he received the following Word from the Lord: “My strength is made perfect in weakness,” that he was able to see the danger of self-exaltation, and be able to rejoice in his affliction.

Clean through the Word

Andrew Murray invites us to give up our own thoughts of what Christianity is, and to yield to the teaching of the Word by means of the Spirit.

Quoting Jesus’ words:" Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (John 15: 3), he urges us to study the Word as a hammer—that breaks and opens up; as a fire—that melts and refines; and as a sword—that lays bare and slays all that is of the flesh. Nevertheless, to study the Word in this way, we need to wait upon God so that He will be able to accomplish His cleansing work.

What does God prune in our lives? (It’s not what you think.)

According to Andrew Murray, God’s ultimate aim with pruning and cleansing is for us to bring forth more fruit (See John 15: 2). But what exactly does God prune in our lives? To answer this question, Andrew turns to the vine and the branches. He says that while other trees may need pruning, the branches of the vine must be pruned. The reason is that they would consume too much sap that should be allocated to fruit-bearing.

In a similar way, God does the same with us. It is therefore not only sin that God wishes to prune, says Andrew Murray, but our own Christian activity, especially our natural gifts that are in constant danger of being over-developed and trusted in.

The stripping away of self

For Andrew Murray, God’s ultimate aim is to strip away self as in self-pleasing, self-exultation, self-will—and any other “self” word one can think of—so that our old nature does not interfere with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This, of course, is a process of a life time. It is also one of Andrew’s key themes in many of his books. He raises it time and time again because it was only when he realized that self could not caste out self that the breakthrough came.

But more about this in my next post.

References

The Mystery of the True Vine: chapters 6 & 7.

First published in: http://www.onandrewmurray.com

Tags: The Mystery of the True Vine by Andrew Murray

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You may also be interested in reading the previous blogs in this series on Abide in Christ:

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Published on April 13, 2014 01:08

April 12, 2014

To abide: Like a branch on the vine #1.7

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The Mystery of the True Vine by Andrew Murray
To Abide: Like a Branch on the Vine #1.7

By Olea Nel

Photograph below is of a vineyard in Wellington, where Andrew Murray ministered

Our role as the branch[image error]

In the Parable of the Vine spoken of in John 15, God is depicted as the Husbandman, Christ as the vine, and we the branches. And because this parable represents spiritual realities, Andrew Murray urges us to take note of our role as the branch.

Lesson 1: Entire consecration

Andrew Murray points out that the branch is simply a bit of wooden outgrowth for the purpose of bearing fruit. At the same time it is similar to the vine by having its same nature, life and spirit. So the lesson we should be learning from this is that our life needs to be entirely given up to Christ to bear fruit. He adds: “Happy is the soul who knows this.”

Lesson 2: Perfect conformity

Just as the branch is exactly like the vine in every aspect, so we, as believers, need to know that we are partakers of Christ’s divine nature, and that our calling is to yield ourselves to Him so that we can grow into his perfect likeness.

Lesson 3: Absolute dependence

The branches of the vine are only there to receive the life sap and strength that the vine provides. In a similar way, we are called to a life of unceasing dependence upon Christ, our Vine, as we can provide nothing of and through ourselves.

Lesson 4: Undoubting confidence

All a branch can do is yield and receive the life-giving sap that the vine provides. Once the Christian understands this spiritual principle, he is able to rest in the faith that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him (Philippians 4: 13).

Lesson 5: Bearing fruit for God

So why is it so important for us to bear fruit? Andrew Murray answers this question by pointing out that fruit is always gathered to be taken away. In a similar way, our fruit-bearing is never for our own maintenance, but for one thing only: to carry God’s saving love to men. It is the one object for which we were made Christians.

Lesson 6: There are degrees in abiding

Based upon Scripture, Andrew Murray points to the fact that there are many degrees in abiding because there are many degrees in seeking after and serving God. They can range from “not with a perfect heart” (2 Chronicles 25: 2) to “with the whole heart” in Psalm 119: 2. With this in mind, Andrew Murray expresses the view that there is unspeakable danger in doing much work but bearing little fruit because of the lack of a vital relationship with Christ.

He reminds us yet again that we need to yield ourselves into God’s hands as ”He comes to us as a Father who gives what He asks and works what He commands.”

References

The Mystery of the True Vine: chapters 3, 4, 5 & 9.

First published in: http://www.onandrewmurray.com

Tags: The Mystery of the True Vine by Andrew Murray

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You may also be interested in reading the previous blogs in this series on Abide in Christ:

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Published on April 12, 2014 01:53

April 6, 2014

Having confidence that God will keep us #1.6

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Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray
Having confidence that God will keep us #1.6

By Olea Nel

Photograph below is of a vineyard in Wellington, Western Cape.

To YIELD, to TRUST and to WAIT[image error]

In the third and sixth chapters of Abide in Christ, Andrew Murray goes deeply into his favorite theme: ‘We need to consent to let God do all for us, and through us, and in us. And we do this by yielding, trusting and waiting.’

He reminds us that God, the keeper of Israel who slumbers not nor sleeps, has far more power to keep us than our feebleness to be led astray.

God plants us in Christ

He goes on to remind us that it is ‘of God that we are in Christ Jesus’ (See 1 Corinthians 1: 30). God does His work by moving us to do our work.

For example, when we are converted, the spiritual quickening comes from God in a secret way beyond our sight. It is God’s almighty power doing its work by taking possession of us and planting us into Jesus Christ, then inspiring our wills to turn to Christ.

God keeps us safe to the end

Andrew Murray says that if we understand that it is ‘of God that we are in Christ Jesus’ then this knowledge will act as a secure ‘standing ground’ for us to abide. And knowing that God is the Husbandman of the vine should give us added security that He will keep us safe to the end. For it says in Scripture: You did not choose me but I chose you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last (John 15:16).

The grace TO COME and the grace TO ABIDE is the same

Andrew,Murray maintains that our idea of God’s grace is often skewed. While we understand that our conversion and pardon are God’s work, we then consider that following Jesus and living our lives as true Christians should be through our own efforts. So we fail and become despondent.

He goes on to remind us that we are not under the law, but under grace. We need to realize that our working and doing are the fruit of Christ’s work in us. So in order for Christ to lead us and stir us up to be active for Him, we need to first rest in Him (or wait upon Him) to know what we should be doing.

G. Campbell Morgan, a friend of Andrew Murray’s, describes this type of resting or waiting as follows:

Waiting on God means:

First: activity under command

Second: readiness for any new command that may come

Third: the ability to do nothing until the command is given

God’s work and our work

As we said in blog post #1.5: ‘Let God help you do it,’ God’s work and our work is the flipside of the same coin. God takes hold of us so that our wills are free to take hold of God. Andrew Murray sums up his exposition on this theme by quoting St Paul in Philippians 3: 12 (NIV): But I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

References

Abide in Christ: chapters 3 and 6

First published in: http://www.onandrewmurray.com

Tags: Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray; The grace to come; the grace to abide; God plants us in Christ; waiting on God; resting in God.

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You may also be interested in reading the previous blogs in this series on Abide in Christ:

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Published on April 06, 2014 00:07

March 16, 2014

Let God help you do it #1.5

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Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray
Let God help you do it #1.5

By Olea Nel

Photograph below is of a worker at a farm near Worcester, Western Cape
Earthly shadows of a heavenly reality

In both his works: Abide in Christ (1864/1882) as well as the Mystery of the True Vine (1897) Andrew Murray (AM) delves deeply into the truths that the parable of John 15 conveys. He tells us that

[image error]when Jesus says: “I am the true vine,” He is speaking of earthly shadows that depict heavenly realities.

To understand this heavenly mystery, AM bids us bow down and be still so that we can worship and wait until the divine Word enters our hearts.

Leaving the Father out is our downfall

The need to let the Spirit interpret the Word for us is particularly important as we read Andrew Murray's interpretation of God’s role in our ability to abide. In fact, he regards our utter dependence on God as absolutely essential to our spiritual growth. He even claims that our tendency to trust Christ, yet leave the Father out, is our great downfall when trying to abide.

For Christ came to bring us to God.

We can do nothing

To reinforce the Scriptural principle of utter dependence on God, AM points to Christ’s words:

The Son can do nothing of himself (John 5: 19).
The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works (John 14: 10).
And my Father is the husbandman (John 15: 1).

AM then points to the counterpoint of the truths conveyed in these Scriptures:

If the Father is the Husbandman and does the work, then we can have confidence that the Father watches over us and works in us.

Our work is to yield

Andrew Murray states that our lives need to mirror Christ’s example in His absolute dependence upon God. With confidence in God the Father, Christ could enter death and the grave knowing that God would take care of it all.

In a similar way, we need to leave ourselves in God’s hands in the confidence that He will see to everything we ought to be and have. We can be assured of this from the words spoken by God in the Book of Isaiah: A vineyard of red wine. I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment lest any hurt it; I will keep it night and day (Isaiah 27: 2-3).

The flipside of the same ‘abide’ coin

In this blog post, we have dealt especially with Andrew Murray's emphasis on God’s role in helping us abide. In my next post, we’ll learn more about our role, and how it works in conjunction with God’s role. It would be true to say that it is on the flipside of the same abide coin.

References

The Mystery of the True Vine chapter 2.

First published in: http://www.onandrewmurray.com

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You may also be interested in reading the previous blogs in this series on
Abide in Christ:

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#1.1 When and why it was written

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Published on March 16, 2014 03:04

February 3, 2014

To Abide: What does it mean? #1.4

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Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray
To abide: What does it mean? #1.4
Rest for the soul

[image error]Andrew Murray argues that the term “abide” in the Bible equates with spiritual rest of the soul. To illustrate this point, he turns to Matthew 11: 28, 29 which says: “Come unto me, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, and ye shall find rest to your souls.”

The promise is repeated twice

He points out that the promise is repeated twice. Included in this rest is the thought that we need to become students who are ready to yield ourselves to Christ’s training, submit to His will, and let our whole life become one with His.

Not apart from Christ

Andrew Murray emphasizes that the rest is in Christ and not something apart from Him. It is because we fail to lay hold of this truth that the rest so speedily passes away.

He sums up his understanding of rest by saying that we as Christians have not understood how entire surrender to Jesus is the secret of perfect rest.

One with Christ

Another concept related to “abide” is being one with Christ. Andrew Murray perceives this oneness as being like a new graft that needs to shoot its little fibers down the stem of a branch, which in this case is the vine. And when the branch becomes one with the vine, a structural union occurs.

But we now have to make progress towards a vital union. This is when the sap enters the new structure and flows into the shoots, leaves and the fruit. In a similar way, we are called to sink ourselves into Christ so that our hearts can be prepared for the fuller experience of “I in you.”

In the case of the graft, it needs to have grown into the stem before the sap can flow. In the same way, the filling of the Spirit can only come once the “abide in me” is maintained.

It is an act of God

Andrew Murray closes his discussion on what it means to abide by asserting that both structural and vital union is an act of God. We cannot bring it about via human wisdom or human will. He states that God’s role is clearly depicted in Scripture by the words from Galatians 4: 6: “God hath sent forth the Spirit of His son into your hearts.”

In our next blog post, we will delve more deeply into God’s role in helping us abide.

References

Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray (1882), Chapter 2.

The Mystery of the True Vine by Andrew Murray (1897), Chapter 8.

Tags: Andrew Murray explains what it means to "abide in Christ."

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You may also be interested in reading the previous blogs in this series on Abide in Christ:

#1.2 Background to the English version

#1.3 Why we fail

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