Abiding in God

In modern times, it's fashionable to view our spiritual journey as trying to form a "relationship" with God. On one hand, that's not a bad line of thinking. After all, trying to form a "relationship" likely means we are engaging in prayer, which, I believe, is the key to deciphering God's will.

But on the other hand, the Bible doesn't use that terminology of forming a relationship, probably because the meaning of "relationship" is somewhat fuzzy. But then, what are we trying to accomplish in our spiritual journey?

In a recent sermon, John MacArthur argues that, while the answer is all over the Bible, it is most explicitly stated in John chapter 15. Specially, in verse 4 (KJV) of that chapter, Jesus states,

Abide in me.

And then in verse 5 (KJV),

He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

And then in verse 7 (KJV),

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Verse 10 (KJV) hammers home what "abiding" means,

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.

The idea of "abiding" is more concrete than the tougher-to-define idea of "relationship." And if gives us a specific path to follow, namely obedience to God. 

A prayer God won't refuse

The Bible states that, to be answered by God, our prayers must conform to his will. So praying for money, health, or happiness might not work if our hearts aren't in tune with God. James (4:3, KJV) makes this clear,

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

So what's a prayer that God is not likely to refuse? Consider Psalm 43:3 (KJV),

Send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

It's a simple plead for wisdom and guidance, and a great guide for daily prayer.

Being our own spiritual "coach"

In 1 Corinthians 11:31 (KJV), Paul says,

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

Paul's point, I think, is that, as we sin every day, we must engage in a continual act of self examination to identify and confess those sins. Doing so will forestall whatever punishment God has in mind.

This interpretation of that verse does not paint God in a bad light. Rather, it points to his patience and love, that he gives us a chance to confess.

Jesus points to a similar theme when he washes the disciples' feet. Peter asks, why just the feet? To which Jesus responds (John 13:10, KJV),

He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.

The point being, we are already cleansed through faith, but we still sin throughout the day, effectively dirtying our feet as we walk through this life. We must "clean our feet" by engaging in that daily process of self examination. And that happens through ceaseless praying!