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.