ABIDING IN THE CONVERSATION
“…ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU…”
(JOHN 15:4 KJV).
*
Every
promise, in John 15, is dependent on the believer ABIDING or REMAINING in the
UNION with Christ (THE WORD OF GOD). “…ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU…”
(JOHN 15:4 KJV).
“… He (Jesus) had a
name written, that no man knew … his name is called The Word of God…”
(Revelation 19:12-13 NASB).
ABIDING in the UNION
with Christ (THE WORD OF GOD) is the believer’s CHOICE. . “…choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “Jesus saith…I am …
the life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…THE WORDS
THAT I SPEAK unto you … they ARE LIFE…” (John
6:63 KJV).
Christ (THE WORD OF GOD) confirms (by the indwelling Holy Spirit) that God will ALWAYS
REMAIN faithful to the covenant relationship with the believer, BUT the
believer can FREELY choose “NOT” to remain faithful. “…His
faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of
gods….His faithful love endures forever……His faithful
love endures forever…”
(Psalm 136:1-3 NLT). “…But the people replied, “Don’t
waste your breath. We will continue
to live as we want to,
stubbornly following our own
evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
ABIDING in the
UNION with Christ (THE WORD OF GOD) causes the indwelling Spirit of FAITH to be exercised and EMPOWERS expectation and hope, in the believer for the promises of John 15. God
says, I “…am watching over MY WORD TO PERFORM IT…”
(Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…[You]… CANNOT bear (bring forth) fruit (such as FAITH) ... EXCEPT ye ABIDE in “ME.” (The WORD of God) (John 15:4 KJV). “….Apart from Me (The WORD OF GOD), you
can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
ABIDING in the UNION
with Christ (the Word of God) precedes all that follows its provisions, instructions, or blessings.
“…he
bringeth forth much fruit…ye shall ask what
ye will, and it shall be done…my
father is glorified (revealed, confirmed) that ye bear much fruit…ye shall abide in my love… [and]… my JOY (Jesus, The Word of God, which is SPIRIT) might remain “IN” YOU…” (John 15:5-11 KJV).
The importance of the
connection between the VINE and the BRANCHES is a matter of LIFE and DEATH. “…If a man abide NOT in me (THE WORD OF GOD), he is cast forth
as a branch, and is withered…”
(John 15:6 KJV).
The branches simply
will NOT survive without abiding “IN” the vine. “…The branch (HUMAN FLESH) cannot bear
fruit of itself…”
(John 15:4-6 NASB).
WITHOUT the VINE, the
BRANCHES have NO source of LIFE within themselves unless it abides in the vine.
“…The branch (HUMAN FLESH) cannot bear
fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine (THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT)…”
(John 15:4-6 NASB).
LIFE flows ONLY from
the VINE and it GIVES LIFE to the BRANCHES. “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “…the Holy Spirit gives
birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…”
(John 3:6 NLT).
ALONE or by ITSELF, the
BRANCH is LIFELESS and will eventually or immediately begin to wither and die. “…If
a man abide NOT in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and
men gather them, and cast
them into the fire, and they are burned…”
(John 15:6 KJV). “….Apart from Me, you
can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
The John 15 parable
provides a VIVID example of the ABIDING relationship between Christ (THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT) and the
believer (HUMAN FLESH). “… I AM THE VINE AND YE ARE THE BRANCHES…”
(JOHN 15:1, 5 NIV).
The believer, separated
or apart from abiding in Christ (THE WORD OF GOD) - who is the source of spiritual LIFE - will
APPEAR alive, but is NOT. “…Woe
unto you …
hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ”
(Matthew 23:27 KJV).
The believer (HUMAN FLESH) will demonstrate
NO fruitfulness, because it DEPENDS upon the indwelling Holy Spirit working "IN" and "THROUGH" to DISPLAY God's POWER. “….Apart from Me (THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT), you
can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
True spiritual LIFE is revealed through the fruit from the indwelling Holy Spirit WITHIN the believer. However, the fruit GROWS and DEVELOPS abundantly when the believes ABIDES in the UNION with Christ (THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives “LIFE”…” (John 6:63
NASB).
Without this ABIDING
connection, the believer CHOOSES to walk in their flesh and will NOT produce
FRUIT since they are NOT empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to grow and develop. “…The flesh
profits nothing…” (John
6:63 NASB).
The man or woman who
chooses NOT to ABIDE in the UNION with Christ (THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT) will exist, but WON’T and CAN’T
exemplify authentic spiritual LIFE. WHY?“…It is the
SPIRIT who gives “LIFE”;
the flesh profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB). “….Apart from Me (THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHICH IS LIFE), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
Without ABIDING in the
UNION with Christ (THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT), the purpose God sent the believer will become dysfunctional at
best. And no matter how religiously profitable the believer becomes on earth; they will miss KNOWING God.
“…Many will say to
me in that day, Lord, Lord, have
we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart
from me, ye that work iniquity”
(Matthew 7:22-23 KJV).
Human flesh is made
fruitful by ABIDING in the UNION with Christ (THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT). “…The branch cannot bear
fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine…”
(John 15:4-6 NASB). THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; (GOD IS SPIRT) CAUSES THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT TO GROW AND DEVELOP "IN" AND "THROUGH" THE BELIEVER.
It is the believer’s CHOICE to
ABIDE in the UNION with Christ (THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT). It is a dependent relationship lived by faith or dependence upon God (God is Spirit). “….Apart from Me (JESUS, THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…LIVE BY
FAITH (DEPENDING UPON THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT), NOT BY SIGHT…” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV).
Faith (THE ABILITY TO DEPEND UPON GOD) is imparted to the believer, through
the indwelling Spirit and ENABLES them to expect and hope in HIS WORD. “…God hath dealt to every man
THE measure of
FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). “…But
the fruit of the Spirit… FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…That
great Shepherd of the sheep, EQUIP you with everything
good [faith]…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).. “…It is God which
worketh IN YOU both to will (have faith) and to do (live by that faith) …”
(Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by THE WORD OF GOD (WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT)...” (Roman 10:17 KJV).
“…Father,
I thank thee that thou hast heard
me (JESUS, THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT) … I knew that thou hearest me (THE WORD OF GOD)always…” (John 11:41-42 KJV). In this
content, who is “ME?” ME
is Jesus. Jesus is the WORD OF GOD. “…Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard
me (the
WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT) …”
(John 11:41-42 KJV).
God says, I “…am watching
over (LISTENING FOR IT) my word to perform it…”
(Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my
mouth: [MY WORD] shall not return unto me void, but [MY WORD] shall accomplish that which I please, and [THE WORD] shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent
it...” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). “…As many as are
the promises of God, in Him (JESUS, THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT) they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20
NASB). “…Not one of the good promises which the Lord (JESUS, THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT) had made
… failed;
all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB). “…He has granted to [you]…
His precious and magnificent promises (THROUGH JESUS, THE WORD OF GOD)…” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB).
“And this is the confidence that we have in him (THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT), that, if we ask any thing according to his will, (HIS WORD) he heareth us…” (1 John 5:14 KJV).
Therefore, by FAITH (which the indwelling Spirit EMPOWERS when it HEARS the WORD), the believer, DEPENDS upon the WORD of God, which is Spirit (God is Spirit) to FILL them with the confidence to hope and expect GOD to DO what he SAYS he will do!
“…you will abound in HOPE by the power of the
Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NASB). “…I pray
that God, the source of HOPE, will
fill you completely.... Then you will overflow with confident HOPE through the power
of the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 15:13 NLT). “… HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT… (ROMANS
5:5 NASB).
The indwelling Spirit, when it HEARS the WORD OF GOD, will EMPOWER the believers with HOPE and EXPECTANCY and they will OVERFLOW with the confidence they NEED to depend upon GOD's WORD. “….I can
do all things through Christ (THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT) which strengtheneth me.”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV).
God supplies "EVERY" need, even the need for FAITH. The believer is empowered to depend upon God, through the indwelling Holy Spirit when the WORD OF GOD is HEARD!
A believer, therefore, is NOT spiritually self-sustaining and is
at the mercy of the indwelling Spirit TO WALK BY FAITH.
A believer is similar to a dependent child who totally relies upon
their parents for EVERY NEED.
A believer’s spiritual experience and ability to be Christlike is contingent
on ABIDING in the UNION with Christ (THE WORD OF GOD; WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT). A TRUE believer is NOT autonomous.
An autonomous person
thinks of themselves as self-sufficient and is not depended on forces outside
of themselves.
An autonomous person
believes they do not need assistance, support, or anyone to help them supply
“their” needs.
The autonomous person
is convinced they have the ability to make self-directing decisions about their
life choices and behaviors without outside interference.
An autonomous person
relies on themselves, but when they become a believer they CANNOT live a TRUE Christian life without the HELP and EMPOWERMENT of the HOLY SPIRIT. Yet,
it is up to them to choose to DEPEND upon on Christ (THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH IS SPIRIT; GOD IS SPIRIT).
ALL TRUE BELIEVERS ARE
DEPENDENTS (the branches). ALL TRUE
BELIEVERS ABIDE IN THE UNION WITH CHRIST (The WORD of God (the VINE)). “… I AM
THE VINE AND YE ARE THE BRANCHES…”
(JOHN 15:1 NIV).
ABIDING in the UNION
with Christ (the WORD of GOD) is foundational for the Christian life. Christ (the Word), the fruit of faith, and the indwelling Spirit, EMPOWER the believer’s
ability to live and fruitfully express the Christian life. “… [They] can do all things THROUGH Christ which strengtheneth [them]…” (Philippians
4:13 KJV).
The believer ABIDES in the UNION with
Christ (the WORD of GOD, which is Spirit; God is SPIRIT) and depends upon THE WORD to hold them together spiritually. “…He (the word of god, which is spirit; god is spirit) will
keep you strong to the end…” (1
Corinthians 1:8 NLT). “….Apart from Me, you
can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…[GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS]…sustaining ALL THINGS by his powerful word…”
(Hebrews 1:3 NIV). “…in him (Jesus) ALL THINGS hold
together…” (Colossians 1:7 NIV). “…HE WHICH
HATH “BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK” IN YOU WILL “PERFORM” IT until the day of Jesus Christ…”
(Philippians 1:6 KJV).
Believers start ABIDING in the UNION with
Christ, by faith, at salvation. “…BY
GRACE have ye been saved through … FAITH;
and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…So the promise is received by faith…” (Romans 4:16 NLT). “…we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand…”
(Romans 5:2 NASB). “…the promise by faith in
Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe…” (Galatians 3:22 NASB).
The
believer ABIDES in the UNION with Christ by faith. “…ABIDE IN ME, AND I IN YOU…”
(JOHN 15:4 KJV). “…The righteous man shall live
by faith…”
(Romans 1:7 NASB). “…we walk by faith…”
(2 Corinthians 5:7 NASB). “..I live by faith in
the Son of God…” (Galatians 2:20 NASB). “…I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth
IN ME…” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).
The believer ABIDES in the UNION with
Christ, by faith, and is justified. “..a
man is justified by faith…” (Romans 3:28 NASB). “…ye are JUSTIFIED
in the name of the Lord Jesus (THE WORD), and by
the SPIRIT of our GOD…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV).
The believer
ABIDES in the UNION with Christ, by faith, to sustain a right relationship with
him. “…a right relationship
with God that comes by faith…” (Romans 4:13 NASB). “…a person is made right with God by faith in
Jesus Christ (THE WORD)…” (Galatians 2:16 NLT).
The
believer ABIDES in the UNION with Christ, by faith, and obtains righteousness. “…the righteousness which is by faith…”
(Romans 9:30 NASB). “…I am the Lord who …brings …righteousness to the earth…” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT). “….not
having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that
which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness
which comes from God on the basis of faith…” (Philippians 3:9
NASB).
The believer ABIDES in the UNION with
Christ, by faith, and experiences the promises. “…He has granted to [you]… His precious and
magnificent promises…” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB). “…As many as are the promises of God,
in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB). “…And this is the confidence
that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will,
he heareth us…” (1 John 5:14 KJV). “…Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made
… failed;
all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB). God is “…watching
over [his[… word to perform it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…So shall [his]… word be that
goeth forth out of [his]… mouth: it shall not return unto [him]… void, but it shall accomplish
that which [God]… please[s], and it shall prosper in the thing whereto [God]… sent it…” (Isaiah
55:11 KJV).
The believer ABIDES in
the UNION with Christ. by faith, and ALL their needs are met.
“…My God
will supply all [my need]… according
to His riches in glory in
Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…what
is the riches of the glory…; …CHRIST IN YOU…” (Colossians 1:25-28 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is in you…” (2
Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ in you, …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in
you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…if Christ
be in you… (Romans 8:10 KJV).
The believer ABIDES in the UNION with
Christ, by faith, and will inherit eternal life. “…we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of
righteousness…” (Galatians 5:5 NASB). “…And in the world to come that person will have eternal life…” (Mark
10:28-31 NLT). “…And being made perfect, he became author of eternal salvation
unto all them who obey him…” (Hebrew
5:7-8-9 KJV).
Through the indwelling
Holy Spirit the believer is EMPOWERED, by faith, to ABIDE in the UNION with
Christ. “…But the fruit of the Spirit… FAITH…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…God hath dealt to every man THE measure of
FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). “…That great Shepherd of the sheep, EQUIP you with everything good [faith,]… for doing
his will, and may he work in
us what is pleasing to him, through
Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21
NIV). “… [God] … grant[s]… you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened
with might (faith) by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians
3:16 KJV). “…It is
God which worketh IN YOU
both to will (have faith) and
to do (live by faith)…”
(Philippians 2:13 KJV).
The believer ABIDES in the UNION with
Christ by faith. “…It is God
who WORKS IN YOU…” (Philippians 2:13
NIV).
God supplies "EVERY" need, even the need for FAITH. The believer is EMPOWERED to depend upon God, through the indwelling Holy Spirit when the WORD OF GOD is HEARD!
However, the believer CHOOSES to ABIDE in
the UNION with Christ willfully. “…Choose
you
this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
When God FREES the
believer from the power or dictatorship of sin; they are FREE. “…if the Son…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE
indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV).
The believer can FREELY make personal choices
between LIFE and DEATH. “… I
have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose
life…”
(Deuteronomy 30:19).
Jesus FREES the human
will to CHOOSE LIFE by faith. The WORD of God is LIFE “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT,
and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “Jesus saith…I am …THE LIFE…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…”
(John 3:6 NLT).
Therefore, “…God
hath dealt to every man THE measure of FAITH…”
(Romans 12:3 NIV).
The measure of FAITH is empowered or activated by hearing the
gospel or the WORD. For instance, the gospel or WORD is “…the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…” (Romans 1:16 KJV). “…
[The] Good News about Christ. It is the power of
God at work, saving everyone who believes…”
(Romans 1:16 NLT).
Jesus Christ is the “good
news” or the WORD. By listening to the WORD and learning from it; it will draw
you to God. “…And I, if I (Jesus, the
Word) be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me….” (John 12:32 KJV).
NO
ONE can come to God unless Jesus’ draws them
(John 6:44). Everyone “who HEARS” and
“learns” about God, will come to him
(John 6:45). "It
is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Every one that hath
HEARD and hath LEARNED of the Father, cometh to me…” (John 6:45
KJV). “…No one
can come to Me unless
the Father who sent Me draws him…” (John 6:44 KJV). “…no man can come unto me, except it were
given unto him of my Father…” (John 6:65 KJV). “…God hath dealt (GIVEN)… to every man THE measure of
FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). “…John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven…”
(John 3:27 KJV). “…He (Jesus) went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to
me unless the Father has enabled them…” (John 6:65 NIV).
Once God has drawn the
believer through the “good news” of the gospel, he or she will come to him. “…Every one that hath HEARD and hath LEARNED of the Father, cometh to me…” (John
6:45 KJV). “…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “… [The] Good News about Christ. It is the power of
God at work, saving everyone who BELIEVES…”
(Romans 1:16 NLT). “…Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shall be saved…” (Acts
16:31KJV). “…BY GRACE have ye been
saved through…
FAITH; and that NOT OF
YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; NOT OF
WORKS, that no man should glory…”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
FAITH is empowered or
activated when it HEARS the WORD, the GOSPEL, or the “good news.” “…Faith cometh by hearing … the word of God” (Roman
10:17 KJV).
FAITH empowers the
believer, by HEARING the WORD, to experience the “…power of
God unto salvation…”
(Romans 1:16 KJV). “…a right relationship with God that comes by faith…”
(Romans 4:13 NASB). “…a person is made
right with God by
faith in Jesus Christ…” (Galatians 2:16 NLT). “…BY
GRACE have ye been saved through… FAITH;
and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; NOT OF WORKS, that
no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
God supplies "EVERY" need, even the need for FAITH. The believer is empowered to depend upon God, through the indwelling Holy Spirit when the WORD OF GOD is HEARD!
Remember the dry bones in Ezekiel chapter
37 was empowered to live again when they HEARD the WORD “…He asked me,
“Son of man, can
these bones live?” I said,
“Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me,
“Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘dry bones, hear the word of the
lord! ….So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying,
there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone
to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them
and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then …breath entered them; they came to life
and stood up on their feet—a vast army...’”
(Ezekiel 37 NIV). .“…Faith cometh by hearing …by the word of God”
(Roman 10:17 KJV).
FAITH is given by God as a gift. “…it is the
gift of God …” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). The bible clearly
emphasizes FAITH as a “gift of God” too.
“…It is the
gift of God; NOT OF WORKS, that
no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
No one can boast that they did ANYTHING autonomous
to obtain salvation. “…BY GRACE have ye been saved through… FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; NOT OF WORKS, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9
ASV).
Because of the finished work of Christ on
the cross the believer is saved through FAITH. “…Even when we were dead in our
transgressions, MADE US alive together]with
Christ (by
grace you have been saved), ….and might reconcile them both in one body
to God through
the cross, by it having put to death the enmity…” (Ephesians
2:5, 16 NASB).
“…God
hath dealt (GIVEN)… to every man THE measure of FAITH…”
(Romans 12:3 NIV). “…it is the gift of God; …” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…[One of]… the fruit of the Spirit… is…FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
Apostle Paul provides
an example of God-given FAITH and totally understood it was gifted to him by
God via grace. “…Even though I was once a
blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I
acted in ignorance and unbelief.
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, ALONG WITH FAITH
and love that
are in Christ Jesus…” (1
Timothy 1:13-14 NIV).
Salvation and every action done BY FAITH
is EMPOWERED by the indwelling Holy Spirit or by ABIDING in the UNION with
Christ (the WORD). “…the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…” (Romans 1:16 KJV).
“….For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?
And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1
Corinthians 4:6 NIV). “…For
what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you?
And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?”
(1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).
“…God
hath dealt (GIVEN)… to every man THE measure of FAITH…”
(Romans 12:3 NIV). “…But
the fruit of the Spirit… is…FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
Hebrews 11 demonstrates how God-given faith
EMPOWERS actions:
BY
FAITH we understand …
BY
FAITH …Abel brought …
BY
FAITH …Enoch was taken up…
BY
FAITH …Noah BUILT
…
BY
HIS FAITH Noah CONDEMNED. …
BY
FAITH …Abraham obeyed …
he lived
there BY FAITH—
BY
FAITH …SARAH WAS ABLE TO
HAVE A CHILD…
BY
FAITH …THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL
WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE
RED SEA
BY
FAITH …the people of Israel MARCHED
AROUND JERICHO
FOR SEVEN
DAYS…
BY
FAITH these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled
with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the
mouths of lions, quenched the
flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness
was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put
whole armies to flight. Women received
their loved ones back again from death….” (Hebrews 11:1-35 NLT).
“…I will show you MY (empowered) FAITH by my deeds
(conduct, actions, mannerisms, ABIDING, etc;)...” (JAMES 2:18 NIV).
God gave every believer
THE measure of faith. “…God hath dealt to
every man THE
measure of FAITH…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). One of “…the
fruit of the Spirit… FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
God gave every believer
instructions on how to activate their “measure
of faith.” (Romans 12:3 NIV). “…FAITH COMETH BY HEARING, and hearing by the word of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…thy WORD is truth…” (JOHN 17:17 KJV).
After “hearing” the word, the believer is
empowered to ABIDE in the UNION with Christ (the WORD). “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…”
(John 3:6 NLT).
FAITH begins to work “IN” the believer, “THROUGH”
them, and “FOR” them. “…it is God which WORKETH in [them]… both to
will and to do of his
good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). One of “…the
fruit of the Spirit… FAITH…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).
“ … That great Shepherd of the
sheep, …may he WORK IN US what
is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ (the WORD),
Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
“…[May he].. strengthened [you]…with
might by his Spirit in the INNER MAN…”(Ephesians 3:16 KJV). You “…can do all things THROUGH Christ which strengtheneth [you]….”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV).
“…It
was BY FAITH that Noah BUILT A LARGE BOAT
to save his
family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things
that had never happened before….” (Hebrews
11 NLT).
FAITH worked “IN” Noah:
Noah was empowered to BUILD. FAITH worked “THROUGH” Noah: Noah was empowered to build a BOAT to save his family. FAITH worked “FOR”
Noah. Noah was empowered to build a boat to save his family from a flood that had NEVER happened, but he hoped and expected God's WORD to do what God said he would do. AND it SAVED his family from the
flood.
When FAITH works “IN”
the believer it will motivate them to do something that they would not normally do or be able to do. Noah built.
When FAITH works
“THROUGH” the believer people can witness it by their deeds or actions. Noah
built a boat to save his family from an unheard of flood. People SAW the boat being built.
When FAITH works “FOR”
the believer; it ABUNDANTLY blesses them.
Noah’s whole family was saved from the flood and his family was the blessed ones that replenished the earth. His story is in every bible and blesses people to this day.
“…I will show you MY (empowered) FAITH by my deeds (conduct, actions, mannerisms, BOAT building, etc.)...” (JAMES 2:18 NIV).
Every Believer who
chooses to ABIDE in the UNION with Christ (the WORD OF GOD) will walk out the Christian life and
bear MUCH fruit. “…I
am the vine, you are the branches; he who ABIDES in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit…” (John
15:1-11 NASB). “….Apart from [Jesus, the WORD of God; God is Spirit],
you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
ABIDING is an ETERNAL POSITION. God GRANTS to the believer, FAITH - which is empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit when the WORD is heard - in
order to supply their EVERY need and GIVE them everything that pertains to LIFE and GODLINESS. “…he that is joined unto the Lord is ONE spirit… ” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…His “divine” POWER hath GIVEN unto [the believer]… ALL THINGS
that pertain unto life and
godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV).
ABIDING in the UNION with
Christ is a CHOICE for the believer, but an ETERNAL commitment for God. “…I “IN” YOU…” (John 15:4 KJV). “…If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful…” (2
Timothy 2:13 NLT).
Unfaithfulness is usually a
relationship breaker, but Christ “… remains faithful…”
(2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). Christ, forever, remains an unchanging SOURCE of
spiritual LIFE. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…”
(Malachi 3:6 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever…”
(Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
The believer, however,
chooses to be faithful or unfaithful. “…If we are unfaithful, he
remains faithful…” (2
Timothy 2:13 NLT).
If a believer is separated or cut off from
the UNION with Christ it is their choice. “… [That believer will] not listen to ...
[God]… [That
believer will] not submit to … [him]… So … [God gives them]…over to
[their own]…stubborn hearts to
follow [their]…own devices”
(Psalm 81:11-12 NIV). “…My
people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and abandoned
me….” (JEREMIAH 5:23 NLT). “…They ABANDONED ME and did not obey my word….”
(JEREMIAH 16:11 NLT). “…But
my people would not listen to me.
They kept doing whatever they wanted, following
the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went BACKWARD instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
They will die spiritually and live a
useless, fruitless life. “…This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the
imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them and
worship them, shall …be …GOOD FOR NOTHING…” (Jeremiah 13:10 KJV).
ABIDING in the UNION with
Christ is God’s open door and eternal invitation to the believer to ACCESS his “EVERY”
spiritual blessing. “…I
have set before thee an open door…:
(Revelation 3:8 KJV).
ABIDING is a GREAT THING for the believer!
Being AWARE of God’s purpose toward the believer in ABIDING in the UNION with
Christ is a MAJOR source of JOY! “…The LORD has done great
things for [you] …” (Psalms 126:3 NIV). “…The
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…”
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…[you] … are filled with joy…”
(Psalms 126:3 NIV). “…Christ in (fills) you,
…” (Colossians 1:27 KJV).
ABIDING in the UNION
with Christ is STRICTLY for the BENEFIT of the believer.
ABIDING in the UNION
with Christ is CAREGIVING directly from God toward the believer.
ABIDING in the UNION
with Christ prevents spiritual withering and death.
ABIDING in the UNION
with Christ produces spiritual LIFE, FRUIT, GOOD WORKS, FAITH, JOY, and
STRENGTH.
“…The LORD has done
great things for [you] …” (Psalms 126:3 NIV). “…[you]
… are filled with joy…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV).
“…THE JOY
OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH…” (NEHEMIAH 8:10 KJV).
“…ABIDE IN ME (My Word), AND I (My Word, which is Spirit: God is Spirit) IN YOU…” (JOHN 15:4 KJV).
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