When God Says …
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:7-8 KJV).
So often many in the religious circles seeing these verses through the eyes of their doctrines, are certainly disappointed. The promise here isn't reward for working, nor penitence, nor performing rituals, but by gift of grace through right believing. Religion only looks at the comforting words: “ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 NIV). They overlook the key, “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you. . .”. Right believing that produces the right fruits, comes by seeing through the right lens of God's grace, being settled by faith in Christ Jesus.
Abiding is to build a place to live-make a permanent dwelling. And, by this analogy, that is being attached to the vine who is the Lord Jesus Christ and dwelling in His Word. With total dependence on Him, we are to constantly be in His presence. We talk to Him and listen Him speaks to us in our meditation, quiet moments of prayers and in our reflections of His Words. Abiding in Him calls for our regular communion and conversation with Him of our deepest secrets. All these we do through His holy and written Words. His Words dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16). The Lord and the Father dwell in us (John 14:10).
The Holy Spirit dwells within us (1 Corinthians 6:19), by His Words we ask in His will and it shall be done unto us. By faith we become the branch bearing fruits from within us - we being His disciples. Not coming from without, giving glory to the Father, we produce from within. Not by efforts, but by grace through faith. It is written: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23a NLT).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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