From Favoritism to Flourishing- Part 8 of 9: Abide: John 15:5

A lot of this series so far has focused on relying on God instead of self and that ideal is lived out by emptying oneself of worldly value that comes with Favoritism. However, we empty ourselves of everything that has no value because there is something infinitely better to replace it with: God's power. This power is what takes us to the Flourishing life we are all looking for. We see this played out in John 15:5:

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

          Just as vines get their nourishment and life from the vine, so do we get our life and nourishment from God. We will only be able to see non-Christians converted, young Christians discipled, people served and ministered to, and entire neighborhoods and cities changed because people relied on God's power alone for their strength. If we try to put God in a corner and live any part of our life without Him, we will not be able to achieve anything of value in that area of our life. Being weak lets us see that we will never be able to succeed on our own and unlocks God's power. This is much of the reason for 2 Corinthians 12:9:

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

           However, in order to truly receive this power, we need to abide in God. What does this mean? It means that we need to spend time with God and with spiritual disciplines so that we can develop our relationship with Him.  To reach this level of maturity, one important part is to read the Bible. Look at John 17:17:

17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

           Sanctify means to become more like Christ in all parts of our life and spending time with the Word is essential for that end. Also, scripture memory is great. Look as Psalm 119:9-11:

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?     By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart;     do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart     that I might not sin against you.

          Three other spiritual disciplines that are very important are found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

           These disciplines help us in many ways and start us on the path to Flourishing. However, you can't reach this step without first realizing that being spiritual, removing sin, or bearing good fruit can never make you more valuable. Also, we know that we can't pursue a life with Christ without letting it touch everything in our life, including how we look at and treat the people around us. If we can't figure out why the weak and foolish among us have the same value as us, we will not see where our own value comes from. The Christian walk is one long detox: we'll be spending the rest of our lives removing from our hearts and minds what is valuable to the world and replacing it with what God says is valuable. The effects of this lifestyle are seen in Romans 8:5-8:

5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

and Galatians 5:16-26:

16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

  Lastly, my favorite verse about abiding is Psalm 37:4:

  
4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

       As this life of abiding in God is practiced over time, it brings us to a Flourishing life. This upcoming last entry will talk some on the power of what this abiding, flourishing life is like and the kind of power that it holds for us as well.
In Christ,
Simeon Snow