What does it mean to abide in Christ? Often, we think of abiding in Christ as something we do for God. We think when we serve Him, we abide with Him. While this might be true in some cases, Bill Giovannetti shares three ways abiding in Christ is a matter of the heart – not our actions.
1. Know the Gospel
“Know the Gospel inside and out. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Trust Him and His finished work on Calvary’s cross.”
Knowing the Gospel is knowing that salvation is a gift from God, not a reward we can earn for living a good or service filled life.
“It’s not your commitment, it’s not your performance, it’s not your anything, it’s not giving God your heart, you don’t have anything to give God. He’s the giver, you’re the receiver.”
2. Know your identity
“We all go through life picking up labels. You’re stupid, you’re ugly, you’re too fat, too short, I don’t want you, you’re unworthy. Those labels wreck us, but the beautiful thing is when Christ saves you, He peels off a lifetime of those labels, and He puts a new one on.
In Christ we are free from the identity and label that the world ties to us. In its place, we are new beings with a new identity.
“God labels you the same way He labels Christ. If Christ is beloved, then you’re beloved. If Christ is precious, He labels you precious. You need to know who you are.”
3. Know that you are secure
“You need to know how secure you are. The gospel of Christ, your identity in Christ, and security in Christ. Once I realized I could never lose my salvation, it kind of freaked me out. How many sins did Christ die for? He died for all of them. That’s abiding in Christ. You’re resting your weary, beaten-down soul in your God, in your identity, in His Gospel, and in your eternal security.”
Bill Giovannetti has established a reputation for speaking to the mind in ways that touch the heart. He enjoys delivering God’s Word with both depth and practicality. He aims to encourage instead of tear down. He strives to free others from guilt, shame, and legalism, and help them discover life and love through God’s amazing grace.
Key Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24
Featured Songs: Who You Say We Are – Steven Curtis Chapman; Calvary – Hillsong; Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) Chris Tomlin
Grace intervention
