Introductory thoughts: The happiness of a dependent life
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
“Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5), the Lord Jesus once said to his disciples. In saying this, he makes it clear that there is only one way in which we can bear fruit for God: if we remain in him, the true vine. But what does that actually mean in practical terms? How can we put it into practice in our daily lives? How would we answer if someone asked us these questions today?
Dependence means being dependent on someone. The word often carries a negative connotation for us because we like to be independent and do not want our freedom restricted. But anyone who has experienced how concretely one can experience God’s guidance and His work through practiced dependence comes to a completely different conclusion: Living in dependence is the key to a meaningful and exciting life in communion with the living God, who still performs miracles today.
If we want to know what such a dependent life looks like in practice, we must look to Jesus, the “author and perfecter of our faith.” He was always in prayer (Psalm 109:4), was guided by the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1), and lived by every word that came from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). If we remain in Him, we will walk as He walked (1 John 2:6). That is true life in abundance!
The purpose of this series of articles is to place the dependent life of the Lord Jesus before our hearts so that we may become more like Him in His mindset and behavior—and thus reap fruit for eternity!
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