The Secret Of Abiding Is Obeying

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Hornet689

Guest
#1
The Secret Of Abiding Is Obeying

INTRODUCTION

1. In our examination of the "Secrets Of The Abundant Life," we have
seen thus far...
a. The secret to living is bearing fruit, for in the very act of
bearing fruit we experience the joy, happiness, assurance and
peace which constitutes the "abundant life"
b. The secret to bearing fruit is abiding, for as we "abide in
Christ" (Jn 15:5) He provides the strength which enables us to
bear fruit - cf. Php 4:13

2. But what is the secret to abiding in Christ? How can we be sure to
have access to the strength that Jesus provides?

[Again we turn to Jesus' discourse on the vine and the branches as
recorded in John 15...]

I. THE SECRET OF ABIDING

A. THE SECRET OF ABIDING IS OBEYING THE COMMANDS OF JESUS...
1. As stated by Jesus...
a. By keeping His commands we abide in His love - Jn 15:10a
b. By keeping His commands we will be His friends - Jn 15:14
2. And restated by His beloved disciple, John - 1Jn 3:24a

B. THE PRINCIPLE OF ABIDING THROUGH OBEYING...
1. Governed Jesus' relationship with His Father while on earth
a. He kept His Father's commandments, and so abided in His love
- Jn 15:10b
b. Passages which illustrate Jesus' desire to keep His Father's
Will - Jn 4:34; 5:30; 6:38
2. And should govern our conduct as Christians as well
a. We abide in Christ by keeping His commandments - 1Jn 2:3-6
b. Otherwise we prove ourselves to be liars if we profess to
know Him and do not keep His word!

[And so "The Secret To Abiding Is Obeying". This may surprise some, but
the importance of "obedience" is stressed throughout the Word of God...]

II. THE IMPORTANCE OF OBEDIENCE

A. AS STRESSED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT...
1. With the nation of Israel
a. At their beginning as a nation - Deut 10:12,13
b. Later, as the prophets tried to turn them from their
apostasy - Isa 1:18-20
2. With the example of King Saul - 1Sa 15:22-23
3. As concluded by Solomon in his search for meaning - Ec 12:13

B. AS STRESSED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT...
1. By Jesus, on several occasions
a. During the sermon on the mount - Mt 7:21-23,24-27; Lk 6:46
b. In describing His true family - Mk 3:31-35
c. In giving the "Great Commission" - Mt 28:18-20
2. By the apostles in their preaching and teaching
a. E.g., the apostle Peter - Ac 10:34,35,48
b. E.g., the apostle Paul - Ac 17:30; Ro 6:17-18

CONCLUSION

1. One cannot read much of God's Word without realizing that obedience
to God's "commands" are essential if we are going to enjoy God's
"blessings!"

2. One verse that expresses this well is He 5:9, where speaking of
Jesus it is said...

"And having been perfected, He became the author of
eternal salvation to all who obey Him,"

3. Have you obeyed the commands of Christ and His apostles? Consider
just a few commands that you must obey if you are going to abide in
Christ, and He in you...
a. Believe on the name of Jesus Christ - 1Jn 3:23
b. Repent of our sins - Ac 17:30
c. Be baptized - Mt 28:18-19
d. Grow in the knowledge of Christ - 2Pe 3:18
e. Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together - He 10:24-25
f. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly - Col 3:16
g. Devote yourself to prayer - Col 4:2

4. To those who faithfully obey Jesus, to them are given the comforting
words of Re 22:14...

"Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may
have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through
the gates into the city."

The secret to living is bearing fruit;
The secret to bearing fruit is abiding;
The secret to abiding is obeying...
 
Nov 26, 2011
3,818
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#2
Without obedience one will not even enter the kingdom. We MUST be DOERS of God's will.


1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
1Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.


Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.


Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.


1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1Pe 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.


2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

2Co 7:15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.



No obedience = No sprinkling of the blood = No forgiveness of sin

1Pe_1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
 

starfield

Senior Member
Jun 13, 2009
3,393
58
48
#3
John 10:27-29
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

The sheep that gets eternal life is the one that obeys the Shepherd and they can be assured that no one can pluck them out of His hands.

Fruitfulness is an indication of abiding in Christ.
John 15:1-6
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 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.
The branch that abiding in the Vine and bearing fruit, will occasionally go through the process of pruning to remove unwanted branches and to beautify it so that it can bear more fruit. God's pruning process is done out of love to make us more and more like Christ and fit for His kingdom. His pruning can come through discipline (Heb 12:5-10), trials of our faith to train us to be patient (James 1:3), persecutions to bring us to maturity (Matt 5:13-14), sicknesses and afflictions (Job 1:7-12), etc. This pruning process can be disheartening and painful but we should understand that it is for our own good and we should react positively to it.

1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

The sheep that has total reliance on its Shepherd will want to tread on the Shepherd's path. Jesus, who came in the flesh, lived on earth, tempted and suffered afflictions yet obeyed the Father's will, is our perfect example so anyone who professes to know Him should desire to imitate Him in holiness and purity of heart.
God directs our path through the light of His word and His Spirit in us.

2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
Just as a child who truly loves their parents will gladly obey them, one who truly loves God will gladly obey His commandments; they won't find them burdensome.

 
Dec 21, 2012
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#4
I testify that the secret of abiding in Him is trusting Him at His word that He will be your Good Shepherd in helping you to continue in His words to be His disciples.

John 15:1 am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. [SUP]2 [/SUP]Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. [SUP]3 [/SUP]Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. [SUP]4 [/SUP]Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [SUP]5 [/SUP]I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

If you look to yourself to abide in Him by obedience, then know that no matter how much the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak, therefore what is impossible with man, is possible with God and since little chldren are free to come to Him, then what can a child do but trust the Lord?

So whenever any religious christian gets fed up with his failings & shortcomings, surrender by denying yourself in that fashion, and trust Him to help you follow Him just as you trust Him that He has saved you as your Saviour.
 
Nov 26, 2011
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#5
oopppps mistake post
 
Last edited:
Nov 26, 2011
3,818
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#6

If you look to yourself to abide in Him by obedience
?????????

Abiding IS obedience. It is simply YIELDING to the Spirit by faith. We trust God and do what leads us to do. We have denied ourselves, picked up our cross, and we FOLLOW Him.

You cannot disconnect abiding from obedience anymore than you can disconnect action from faith.

Abiding is not just "trust." Yes we do trust God and because we trust and believe Him we therefore DO WHAT HE SAYS. It all goes together. You cannot separate it and say you just "trust" and "obedience follows." It all works TOGETHER.
 
Sep 30, 2014
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#7
?????????

Abiding IS obedience. It is simply YIELDING to the Spirit by faith. We trust God and do what leads us to do. We have denied ourselves, picked up our cross, and we FOLLOW Him.

You cannot disconnect abiding from obedience anymore than you can disconnect action from faith.

Abiding is not just "trust." Yes we do trust God and because we trust and believe Him we therefore DO WHAT HE SAYS. It all goes together. You cannot separate it and say you just "trust" and "obedience follows." It all works TOGETHER.
That's the way I see it, I see folks like to separate things, when really " it all works together ".
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#8
I think you have it backwards.

The secret to obedience is abiding.

Walk in the spirit (abide) and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
 

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
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#9
If I thought that one misstep would cause Christ to separate Himself from me, I would live in fear all the time. Come on - we all do things everyday whether it is a small selfish thing, a prideful thing, a little anger, a little bitterness, etc.

I would be very self centered, and always disappointed that I just could not quite be perfect all the time. I would be working my way into His love. I would cast away from me the gift of His Righteousness.

Thank God nothing separates me from his love. I'm IN Him and sealed with the Holy Spirit. He abides with me every moment, even when I do blow it. He never leaves me. Ro. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,704
3,649
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#10
A branch first abides and good fruit is the result.
 
C

ChristIsGod

Guest
#11
Joh 15:4-14 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.


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.


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.


As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.


These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.


This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Seems that here; even Andrew Murray's books are criticized.

The Mystery of the True Vine, Andrew Murray, Christian Classics Books, Bible Study
 
C

ChristIsGod

Guest
#12
A Chpt from The Mystery of the True Vine by Andrew Murray [link of whole book above]


Withered Branches

If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.—Ver. 6.
The lessons these words teach are very simple and very solemn. A man can come to such a connection with Christ, that he counts himself to be in Him, and yet he can be cast forth. There is such a thing as not abiding in Christ, which leads to withering up and burning. There is such a thing as a withered branch, one in whom the initial union with Christ appears to have taken place, and in whom yet it is seen that his faith was but for a time. What a solemn call to look around and see if there be not withered branches in our churches, to look within and see whether we are indeed abiding and bearing fruit.
And what may be the cause of this "not abiding." With some it is, that they never understood how the Christian calling leads to holy obedience and to loving service. They were content with the thought that they had believed, and were safe from hell; there was neither motive nor power to abide in Christ— they knew not the need of it. With others it was that the cares of the world, or its prosperity, choked the word: they had never forsaken all to follow Christ. With still others it was that their religion and their faith was in the wisdom of men, and not in the power of God. They trusted in the means of grace, or in their own sincerity, or in the soundness of their faith in justifying grace; they had never come even to seek an entire abiding in Christ as their only safety. No wonder that, when the hot winds of temptation or persecution blew, they withered away: they were not truly rooted in Christ.
Let us open our eyes and see if there be not withered branches all around us in the churches. Young men, whose confessions were once bright, but who are growing cold. Or old men, who have retained their profession, but out of whom the measure of life there once appeared to be, has died out. Let ministers and believers take Christ's words to heart, and see, and ask the Lord whether there is nothing to be done for branches that are beginning to wither. And let the word, Abide, ring through the Church until every believer has caught it. No safety but in a true abiding in Christ.
Let each of us turn within. Is our life fresh, and green, and vigorous, bringing forth its fruit in its season? (see Ps. i. 3, xcii. 13, 14; Jer. xvii. 7, 8). Let us accept every warning with a willing mind, and let Christ's "If a man abide not" give new urgency to His "Abide in Me." To the upright soul the secret of abiding will become ever simpler, just the consciousness of the place in which He has put me ; just the childlike resting in my union with Him, and the trustful assurance that He will keep me. Oh! do let us believe there is a life that knows of no withering, that is ever green, and that brings forth fruit abundantly.
Withered I O my Father! watch over me, and keep me, and let nothing ever for a moment hinder the freshness that comes from a full abiding in the Vine. Let the very thought of a withered branch fill me with holy fear and watchfulness.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,704
3,649
113
#13
As Christians we are...

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
(Eph 2:6)

And here is the Abiding aspect...

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
(Col 3:1-3)

Our (objective) position is IN CHRIST never to be booted out/grafted back in/booted out/grafted back in ad infinitum ad nauseum.
 
K

Kerry

Guest
#14
The secret of abiding is faith in the work of the cross and not your own.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,370
113
#15
I believe obedient is a fruit.

Abide first then bear the fruit. A branch can't bear the fruit of itself
 
K

Kerry

Guest
#16
but how can you abide without faith in the cross?
 
C

ChristIsGod

Guest
#17
As Christians we are...

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
(Eph 2:6)

And here is the Abiding aspect...

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
(Col 3:1-3)

Our (objective) position is IN CHRIST never to be booted out/grafted back in/booted out/grafted back in ad infinitum ad nauseum.
Nothing ad nauseum, I agree. There is the prodigal son story that we can't throw out, from His lips - but he only came home once and stayed. No need to run off just to see if we'll be taken back.

Andrew Murray was one of my favorites when I was young in Christ. I had almost all of his book then. Still have some.
Just found one that I do have in PDF form.
The e-sword has the one I posted earlier which was his shortened version of this book... - http://www.apwin.org/wp-content/uploads/books-misc/Andrew Murray - Abide in Christ.pdf
Was just reading Chpt 24 again.
It was reading the Classics from early on that helped much, besides studying His Word. Murray, Tozer, Torrey, Oswald Chambers and those type men of God. I think that's what made things different back then -- as we discussed on another thread on how things were. Most did read the classics. That's what we bottle fed on. But we were just on the heels of everything that's come into the Church since.
But, these books are online now and it's wonderful to download what we can while they're still on here. Good food for the soul. Great grounding compared to what we get now-a-days.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,370
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#18
but how can you abide without faith in the cross?
Yes I agree, we have to have a faith in Jesus first
Abide is entrust/depend to the Lord. We hear the word, have a faith and abide, then bear the fruit.
 
C

ChristIsGod

Guest
#19
oopppps mistake post
Good, I'll use this space then.

You know what - it looks like Hornet689 had some good threads but was here and gone in one day?

O.K. -- who ran him off?

I know you didn't Skinski and looking at just page 1 of his last thread, he had some others that agreed but it's 11 pages and I can't read anymore... but I can listen, as I am to 'True Faith to Inherit Eternal Life'.


Thanks!
 

Atwood

Senior Member
May 1, 2014
4,995
53
48
#20
Abiding leads to fruit bearing (works). So how can works lead to abiding? John 15 is the famous chapter on the subject. 1 John can be viewed as an expansion on John 15. Abiding in Christ has to do with maintaining fellowship with Him. Of course sin interferes with fellowship.

One must be careful in assessing passages on this subject.

Verses to meditate on:

6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither knoweth him.


9 Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God.


24 And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.

[Does that mean that keeping the commandments causes abiding? Or does it mean that keeping the commandments evidences abiding? He who wears a shirt got dressed this morning. The shirt evidences the dressing. A city which has snow on the grass experiences the fall of snow. (Having snow on the grass does not cause the fall of snow.)]


12 No man hath beheld God at any time: if we love one another, God abideth in us, and his love is perfected in us:

[Does this mean that after we love, God abides in us? Or does it mean that if we are loving it must be due to the fact that God abides in us?]


15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God. 16 And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him.

[So if you find yourself not abiding, is it that all you need do to start abiding is to open your mouth and yell out "Jesus is the Son of God"?]



9 Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son.

[Do you get the Father & Son after you abide? Or does abiding depend upon having the Father & Son -- abiding being the proof of having the Father & Son?]