Whosoever Abideth in Him Sinneth Not
The sermon emphasizes the importance of abiding in Christ to prevent sinning and live a holy life.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the transformative power of sanctification, explaining that while our old nature may still attempt to re-enter our lives, it remains outside as long as we abide in Christ. He reassures believers that they need not worry about the death of their old nature, as the focus should be on the presence of Christ within them. Simpson encourages a life of continuous abiding in Him, which empowers us to resist sin and walk in holiness. He reminds us that God has provided complete sanctification and calls us to embrace our identity in Christ, adorned in His holiness.
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What becomes of our old nature when we are sanctified? Many people are unduly concerned to know if it can be killed outright and seem to desire a sort of certificate of its death and burial. It is enough to know that it is outside and Christ is in us. It may show itself again, and even knock at the door and plead for admittance, but it is forever outside while we abide in Him. Should we step out of Him and into sin we might find the old corpse in the ghastly cemetery, and its foul aroma might yet embrace and overcome us once more. But he that abideth in him sinneth not and cannot sin while he so abides.
Let us therefore abide and let us not be anxious to escape the hold of eternal vigilance and ceaseless abiding.
Our paths are made and we are given strength to pursue them; let us then walk in them. God has provided for us a full sanctification. Since He has given us His own holiness, is it strange that he should require us to be holy, even as He is holy? Let us then put on our beautiful garments and prepare to walk in white with Him.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Sanctification
- The Importance of Abiding in Christ
- The Call to Holiness
- God has provided for full sanctification
- We are called to be holy as He is holy
Key Quotes
“But he that abideth in him sinneth not and cannot sin while he so abides.” — A.B. Simpson
“Should we step out of Him and into sin we might find the old corpse in the ghastly cemetery, and its foul aroma might yet embrace and overcome us once more.” — A.B. Simpson
“Let us therefore abide and let us not be anxious to escape the hold of eternal vigilance and ceaseless abiding.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must abide in Christ to prevent sinning and live a holy life.
- Eternal vigilance is required to maintain our sanctification.
- We are called to be holy as God is holy.