‘No branch can bear fruit by
itself… Neither can you bear fruit
unless you abide in me… If you remain in
me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you’ (John
15:4,7)
The effective faith which will
enable us to live consistently in the powerful manifestation of the kingdom of God
in all its glory, can only be activated and released in the context of abiding daily
in Jesus Christ and his word abiding daily in us, just as a branch abides in
the vine. There is no short-cut in this.
As Jesus said, ‘apart from me you
can do nothing’ (John 15:5).
So important is this issue of abiding that
Jesus prayed about it: ‘…Father, just as
you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us’ (John 17:21). The reason why Jesus prayed this, is so that we
can see his glory manifested: ‘Father, I
want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory…’ (John
17:24). The only way that we can be
where Jesus is (i.e. in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father) is by living
in union with him: ‘…he who unites
himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit’ (1 Cor. 6:17).
In order for this to be brought about, and for the
world to believe that Jesus and the Father are one, God sent the Holy Spirit to
us. The Holy Spirit is the One who will
enable us to abide in Jesus and Jesus in us.
The presence of the Holy Spirit is the manifest presence of God and he brings
about God’s will. The Holy Spirit unites
us with Jesus and, by being united with Jesus, we are united with the Father
who is in Jesus.
However, God’s will is not only that we
have his glory in us, but also that we see his glory manifested.
If you want to read more from this chapter, you can buy Victorious in Life through Christ via the following link: click here
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.