Abide!

Abide!

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4‭ KJV

The Inspiration:

Just before Jesus went to the cross, He spent quite some time speaking to His disciples. He had taken time to speak to the crowd in some of the chapters before this one, but for about 5 chapters of John, it was just Jesus and His disciples. These were men who had taken a decision to follow Him. This was not a decision taken lightly; all of them had a job or business they were busy at when the call came, but they all left all that they knew or had and followed Jesus. Just as the call went out then, so does it still go out today. He is still looking for men and women who will make a lifelong commitment to follow Jesus. It should not be a revolving door, where I come in and go out when I please, but a door through which I go in and stay where the grace and mercy of God can reach me. Yes, I may make mistakes, but the grace of God keeps me connected, and I can find my way back to God. This is what it means to 'abide'.

The Connection:

I believe it is not a mistake that Jesus used the word 'abide'. This is the picture of someone who is residing permanently in a place, not someone with no roots, and is just seeking temporary benefits. This is why the benefits of a state's welfare system are only for citizens and permanent residents. No matter how long you live in a place, or how much you invest in a place, until you put roots in there, and make long-term commitments to show you love the place, you won't be fully committed to the place. Could this be the reason why many do not get anything from God? They are all over the place, jumping from place to place, seeking immediate solutions to long-term issues. There are some issues that speed will not solve; only careful and deliberate measures will work. Don't settle for temporary fixes; take hold of the help that is freely available in and through Christ. 

The Conclusion:

Can I confirm my current residence status? This benefit is mutual; God is pleased with me, and my life is complete in Him. He supplies all that I need for life and Godliness, and because He owns and holds me, nothing touches me without His permission. I will not survive outside the control and influence of the One who owns and holds my life. Men have tried so many options; the devil will have me think that God is slow and may not care as much, but when you think of the journey God has brought you through, you know quite clearly that only He could have sustained and kept you. In Him is life; outside of Him is pain. In Him is fruitfulness; outside of Him is loss. I have to stay connected if I want to stay fresh. I have to live in His will if I want to enjoy the benefits of His kingdom. Nothing survives outside the All-Sufficient One. He is and has all I need, both for earthly impact and eternal life. God's time of favour is here.