I Am the Vine, Ye Are the Branches
To take Christ as our Sanctifier or Healer, we must first get into the posture of faith by a definite and voluntary act, and then maintain it by a uniform habit.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the importance of taking Christ as our Sanctifier and Healer through a posture of faith, which begins with a deliberate act of commitment and is sustained by a consistent habit. He compares this process to planting a tree, where one must first plant it in the soil and then allow it to establish roots to draw nourishment. Simpson highlights the two stages of faith: the initial act of planting and the ongoing process of absorbing spiritual sustenance from Christ. Once this habit is formed, drawing life from Christ becomes as natural as breathing. He concludes with a prayer for help to abide in Christ and grow in this life-giving relationship.
Text
How can I take Christ as my Sanctifier or Healer? That is a question that we are constantly asked. It is necessary first of all that we get into the posture of faith. This has to be done by a definite and voluntary act, and then maintained by a uniform habit. It is just the same as the planting of a tree. You must put it in the soil by a definite act, and then you must let it stay there and remain settled in the ground until the little roots have time to fix themselves and begin to draw the sustenance from the soil. There are two stages: the definite planting and then the habitual absorbing of moisture and nourishment from the ground.
The root fibers must rest until they reach out their spongy pores and drink in the nutriment of the earth.
After the habit is established, then by a certain uniform law the plant draws its life from the ground without an effort, and it is just as natural for it to grow as it is for us to breathe. Lord, help me this day to abide in Thee, and to grow into the habit of drawing all my life from Yours so that it shall be true for me, in [you] [I] live, and move, and have [my] being (Acts 17:28).
Sermon Outline
- Getting into the Posture of Faith
- The Analogy of Planting a Tree
- Establishing the Habit of Abiding in Christ
- Resting in Christ
- Drawing life from Christ
Key Quotes
“Lord, help me this day to abide in Thee, and to grow into the habit of drawing all my life from Yours so that it shall be true for me, in [you] [I] live, and move, and have [my] being (Acts 17:28)” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must make a deliberate decision to put our faith in Christ and maintain it by a uniform habit.
- Abiding in Christ and drawing life from Him is a natural and effortless process once the habit is established.
- Resting in Christ is essential to establishing the habit of drawing life from Him.