We are considering the word "abide", from the standpoint of the book of First John. We have seen that there are specific places to abide (or remain) that include God's Word, His Love, His Light and in God, Himself. There are great promises that associate with abiding in the right places...perhaps the greatest being that God, Himself, will also abide in us. But how, exactly, do we abide? What is the practical process we can follow? Sometimes we are uplifted and challenged by Scripture and lofty words like "abide", but fail to make application to our lives.
I believe that we have a great power that we often neglect, but that can be the secret to successful abiding. The power is our freedom to "set our mind" on whatever we chose. So much of our spiritual life is played out on the fields of our mind. We are truly free to think about whatever we want. Our identity is found in the chambers of the mind. Our ambitions, interests, passions, knowledge and occupations all are fueled by the mind. If we can associate "abiding" with "thinking", we might be able to make the connection between our individual lives and how we can remain in...focus on...carefully consider God's Word, His Love, His Light and His reality. That is why reading the Bible, praying to the Lord and worshiping Him are such healthy exercises. They each involve intentionally setting our minds on Him.
When we have the freedom to think about whatever we choose...will we choose to think about Him?
Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
blessings,
Rob Smith
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