Monday, February 25, 2019:  John 15:7

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

It is important to understand what is unconditional and what is conditional in relationship to God. For example, God’s love is unconditional (Rom. 5:8). Personal experience of the fellowship of God’s love, however, is conditional (John 3:16; 14:23). The privilege of prayer is also unconditional. Because Jesus broke down the barrier of sin and He understands and sympathizes with us, we can continuously and confidently approach God in prayer (Heb. 4:15-16; 10:19-20). Effective prayer, however, is conditional. Jesus told us in John 15:7 that If we abide in Him and His words abide in us, then our prayers will have a powerful effect.

So what does it mean for God’s words to abide in you? It’s different than memorizing theorems or lines for a play. Jesus is alive and active (Phil. 3:21). His words are alive and active (Heb. 4:12). His words are not meant to merely give you intellectual knowledge about Him, but to give you fellowship with Him. Jesus’ words, then, abide in you when you invite Him to speak to you now through the words He has already spoken in Scripture. His words abide in you when you respond to His words in faith and obedience.

What this means is that your prayer life can be either ineffective or effective, depending on your relationship to Jesus and His Living Word. Do you ever feel like your prayers are empty and without direction? Invite God to speak to you and draw you into prayerful fellowship as you meditate on His Word and seek to walk in its truths.

• Do you approach the study of God’s Word more as intellectual pursuit or life-giving fellowship with the Lord of the universe? How can you tell the difference?

• Pray: I want to abide in you, Lord. Let your words abide in me, not so that I know more facts, but so that I know more of You and hear more of Your voice.