John 15:1-17
Sunday, 21 March 2021
“If you abide in Me and My Words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” - John 15:7
Abiding in Christ and abiding in His Word!-that is what it takes to bring forth the good fruit of right living. If we do not believe in the Only Begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, neither can His Word abide in us (John 5:38). A lot of people are fond of many of the teachings of Christ-like the Beatitudes but it cannot abide in them as long as they do not abide in Christ Jesus.
Jesus Christ is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among mankind, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Hence whatever He spoke is truth. Jesus Himself said, “If you abide in My Word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31,32). We cannot claim to be His disciples unless we allow His Word to abide in us.
The Bible expounds the power of the word of God in Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
As we hide God’s word in our heart, we are keeping something which has life and power!! The root word for “active” means “capable of doing”. Since the word has the inherent power and hence as God Himself declared in Isaiah 55:11 “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth, it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” It undoubtedly tells us that the when we receive a word from God, from the Bible and we allow it to abide in our heart, it will accomplish the purpose for which it is given to us by God! That word is called a “Rhema” word – it will have the life to energize our faith and will have the ability to do its intended purpose!!
But, we need to cooperate with God and have the right attitude towards the word. Primarily as Jesus said in John8:31 -32, the abiding word will do its powerful act in changing us to a disciple of Christ! It is the most amazing work!!
When Mary, a virgin received a word from God concerning her becoming an instrument in God’s hands for the birth of Jesus, she replied in Luke 1:38: “Behold the bond slave of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word.” The word given when received in humility and integrity of heart started working and in due time the Saviour of the world was born through Mary! God can do miracles today through His humble servants who like bond slaves surrender their lives to the fulfilment of His word and who receive the word in simple faith and allow it to abide in them!!!
When we look in the life of Abraham, we see that He received the word of God in faith and continued to give glory to His name for the accomplishment of it!! In due time Isaac was born!! Impossibilities were made possible by God!!
This word of God when taken into our lives in faith, humility and integrity can produce
It helps us to overcome the evil one (1John 2:14)
It will help us not to sin (Ps.119:11)
It will give us the assurance that we receive what we ask of Him (1John 3:22; 5:14).
We receive wisdom to teach, admonish, and sing with grace in our hearts to the LORD (Col. 3:16).
O that we would understand the richness of His Word and learn to abide in it. We will surely then bear fruit and much fruit and fruit that will last!
Quote for the Day:
“The Bible is the book of my life.
It's the book I live with,
the book I live by,
the book I want to die by.”
-N. T. Wright