Lives of Spiritual Power

December 4

Leaving our ‘first love’ happens with great regularity. Puppy love in middle school or high school fades fairly quickly and new interests capture the imaginations of the once-smitten love birds. Marriages, contractual agreements entered into by presumably more mature individuals, fare little better than their juvenile counterparts. Spouses cheat. When trust is broken, irreparable damage is done and divorce papers are signed.

Though it’s probably best that early love interests are abandoned simply because teens are not ready for life-long commitments, the trend established in these early flirtations should be replaced by more stability in future relationships as those who enter into them grow up. But it doesn’t seem to happen. Instead, a pattern is developed that results in an endless search for romantic adventure.

We have lost the fine art of abiding. We have discarded the vow we took at the altar to remain together, for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; until death do us part. We see the same pattern of abandonment that we employ in romantic relationships in our religious experience also. Jesus said in John 15:4-5, 7, “Remain in Me and I will remain in you…as a branch cannot produce fruit if plucked but must remain on the vine…

“…In the same way, you cannot produce spiritual fruit without Me…if we remain together, we shall produce much fruit. Stay close to Me. Follow My teachings and you will have great power in your prayers. What you ask will be given to you.” Jesus here sets before His people the great advantage of abiding. He counsels that they not pull up stakes and leave if they desire to live fruitful lives of spiritual power.