By Peter Russom
During the Wednesday evening session of our recent gospel meeting, Leon Mauldin spoke to us about the importance of teaching. Specifically, Leon emphasized how Christians should continue to teach beyond a person’s obedience to the gospel. We hear that wise counsel and recognize that all new Christians need to learn more about God’s authority, the life of Jesus Christ, how scripture directs proper worship of the Lord, and so much more. Surely it is fair to say that all of us, even those with decades of experience in their walk in the Lord, also need to keep studying His word. The amazing depth and breadth of the scriptures allow us to grow in understanding throughout our entire lives. The lyrics of the hymn, “Trust and Obey”, corresponds to our objectives to live upright lives in His sight.
“When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way,
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who trust and obey.”
The word abide is defined in Strong’s Bible Dictionary as “to remain, stay, or await”. We learn that we need to abide in Jesus to bear good fruit in our lives. This verse helps us recognize both the significance and the byproduct of the wonderful relationship we have in Him.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4 NKJV
Sustaining our faith requires that we remain active in learning about the Lord and in doing His will. Abiding in Him and having Jesus in the forefront of our minds has many practical benefits. By remaining focused on serving Him, we are less likely to be distracted by the cares, concerns, and events in the world.
“… looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
One of the challenges we may face is how to prioritize our thinking and actions. In reading the New Testament we are reminded of examples that address how we are to follow Jesus.
In the gospel of Luke we read about how Mary and her sister Martha made different choices. Was it their mindset that directed those choices? Had one sister prioritized hearing Jesus over less weighty matters? What we learn from the narrative is that giving our full attention to Jesus sets spiritual concerns over the physical (temporal), as we examine ourselves and pray for strength to advance our commitment and devotion to Him.
“And she had a sister called Mary, who was also seated at the Lord’s feet, and was listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do the serving by myself? Then tell her to help me.” Luke 10:39-40 NASB
Yes, we do have certain responsibilities in our daily lives and those things, in time, will have to be completed. Yet, we learn from Jesus what is truly important and that is hearing Him. We have to be careful not to rationalize what we do but instead to have spiritual reasons which support our faith by abiding in Him.
In continuing in this portion of scripture we see Jesus responding to her question and request. “… Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 NASB
Mary made the wise choice. Each time we assemble and worship the Lord we too have made that wise decision to give our full attention to Him.
During our day we might set aside a time to pray, a time to study, and a time to reflect on the love and mercy of Jesus. Remaining active in our faith and drawing even nearer to Him are always good for us.
As we near the end of 2024 it is good that we remind ourselves of this year’s theme verse:
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 NKJV