For the 12 months 2025 our theme goes to be primarily based on one phrase – ABIDE. Once I was praying about what the imaginative and prescient for the upcoming 12 months can be, this theme of abide continued to be on my coronary heart.
At first look, these themes could appear contradictory. How can we “go” if we’re additionally referred to as to “abide”? But, after we dig deeper, we see that abiding in Christ energizes and sustains the flexibility to enter the world with the excellent news. If we don’t take the time to follow the non secular precept of abiding in Christ, we quickly lose the non secular vitamins to maintain going. Abide and go are two sides of the identical mission.
Prior to now 12 months we have now seen some important outcomes. We rejoiced to see the acquisition of one of many oldest church buildings within the Decrease Mainland, the Knox Presbyterian church in New Westminster. We’re excited to see the newest campus begin having companies within the New Yr. All of us rejoiced to see how our church household practiced “going” as mirrored in a report variety of water baptisms, extra Alpha programs being run and new life teams being fashioned. We additionally noticed extra missions actions have been supported each in our Metropolis and overseas. But, in all our “going” if we don’t abide, we danger turning into self-reliant, drained, and fruitless. Abiding ensures that our work is empowered by the Holy Spirit, directed by God’s knowledge, and stuffed with the love that displays Christ’s character.
Whereas abiding retains us linked to Christ, His command to “go” ensures that we don’t stagnate in our religion. Once we are deeply rooted in Him, the pure result’s the will to share the gospel and bear the fruit of the Spirit that Paul talks about in Galatians 5:22,23. Abiding shouldn’t be passive; it produces motion. In John 15:5, Jesus says: “Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it’s that bears a lot fruit.”
The fruit that we get pleasure from from abiding in Christ, isn’t just private inside transformation but in addition the outward influence of advancing God’s kingdom. Our “going” turns into the proof of our “abiding”. Solely then can our lives replicate the mission of Jesus, who got here to hunt and save the misplaced and to destroy the works of the evil one.
As a church, embracing each “go” and “abide” permits us to reside out the nice fee and the nice commandment. We’re referred to as to be deeply rooted in Christ whereas extending His like to the world. These themes aren’t in battle; they’re interdependent.
To abide is to arrange to go. To go is to bear the fruit of abiding. Collectively, they type the rhythm of a devoted and fruitful Christian life.
As we replicate on final 12 months’s theme of “Go” and this 12 months’s theme of “Abide,” allow us to keep in mind that Jesus commanded each as a result of He is aware of {that a} life linked to Him is the muse for efficient ministry. As we enter into 2025 let’s bear in mind to abide in Him every day, drawing the power, knowledge, and love wanted to enter all of the world and make disciples.
