Abide in me as I abide in you.
- John 15:4, NRSV
These words of Jesus continue to work on me this week. If you were here last Sunday, you know I preached on this passage and what it means to "abide." Abiding in Jesus focuses on staying connected with God. On Sunday I mentioned three very simple but profound things we can do to abide in Jesus and maintain that connection with Jesus: PRAY DAILY. WORSHIP WEEKLY. FELLOWSHIP MONTHLY. If we want the life of Christ to flow through us, these three practices are essential, not optional, to our spiritual growth.
Find time each day when you are at your best to focus all of our attention on God. Read the Bible, reflect on what the words say to you, and then pray. Prayer consists of things like praising God, confessing our sin to God, thanking God, praying for the needs of others and ourselves, and finally listening for God's still, small voice.
Weekly worship means gathering in person with other Christians. While alone time with God is good, we need to be with other Christians on a weekly basis to worship God.
Monthly fellowship is more than just a party with friends. The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia. This is the kind of fellowship in which we gather at least monthly with other Christians to learn about life as we support each other and hold each other accountable. At JCPC we have 14 small groups where this takes place. If you need to find one, contact Allison Shearouse (allisons@jcpcusa.org) and she can help you out.
How do we abide? Pray Daily. Worship Weekly. Fellowship Monthly. Without that connection our spiritual lives will atrophy and dry up. But when we abide in Christ, our lives can produce the spiritual "fruit" God created us for. As Paul reminds us, the "fruit of the Spirit" is love, joy, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) So enjoy some of God's fruit!
Prayer for Today
Abiding God, may we abide in you this day -- and may your love abide in us. In the strong name of Jesus the Christ we pray. Amen.
