If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:7-8 (NIV)
In our fast paced culture we have almost forgotten how to abide. And with all the commotion going on - in and around us - it is no wonder. To still ourselves before His throne, seeking to rid our souls from all other distractions and humbly allow our chaotic lives to be taught by His eternal Word is an anomaly these days to be sure. Yet, Jesus longs to take us “further still” in our walks with Him. He never intended for us to remain babes on milk rather grow up and feast upon the meat of His Word. Remember, Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. And, if we are not yet home with the Lord, He has more to teach us from His eternal Truth. God desires for all of His children to be conformed into the image of Jesus – Who was “the Word made flesh” - and He was to be the “firstborn among many brothers”.
So how do we go about abiding? We find a quiet place and seek to still our hearts before Him prior to all the bells and whistles, rings and dings going off in our busy days. We pray that He will open our eyes and show us the wonderful Truths in His Law and we patiently wait and listen for his “still, small voice” within our hearts. He loves to make the Word come alive to us personally and for us to own it and live it because it is true Truth. He points out to us what is in our hearts both to bless and to change us. We prayerfully approach His Word with expectancy that He will do just that, teaching us His wonderful ways. His Word is alive and every time we go to it – even if it is the same passage – there is yet another lesson to be learned as it is inexhaustible. Also, God greatly desires the application of what He shows us to our lives through His power so that we might be a changed people that go forth to bring Him glory and us much good - because we belong to Him and we are His people.
The Bible is an amazing book! It is to be used to direct our paths throughout all of life and it must have authority over our lives. We were not given the prerogative of picking and choosing what we want or do not want to believe within its pages either. It does not give us that option. We either believe the whole of it and subscribe to its Truths or we do not believe it.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)