Overcomer or Overwhelmed?

Why are some Christians weak, powerless and barely getting by in life?  Why do they fail to live victoriously? There are several reasons, but the most significant one is found in the Gospel of John. 

Let’s start with John 15:5 (NKJV):

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Most Christians would agree that apart from Jesus we are ineffective and weak, essentially we are nothing without Him.  Many believers say they agree with this premise, but in reality they do not walk in its truth.  They do not truly abide in Christ.  Why?  Because they fail to recognize a huge piece of what it means to abide in Christ; or they simply choose not to do it.

The word abide means to dwell. According to John 15:5 we must dwell, reside, or live continuously, in Jesus.  This means more than just saying we believe in Jesus or professing Him as our Savior.  Many Christians think that if they don’t turn away from their salvation in Jesus Christ that they are doing all they need to do to abide. NOT TRUE.

John 1:1 (NKJV) states:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Let’s look at that in the Amplified Bible Classic Edition (AMPC).

In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.

Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh.  And actually anywhere in scripture where you see the name of Jesus you can substitute it with Word.  Jesus and the Word are the same.   John 1:14 (NKJV) confirms this.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

How does this relate to abiding in Christ?  If we are to abide or dwell continuously in Jesus and Jesus is the Word, then that means we are to abide in the Word.  So, now John 15:5 takes on a whole new light. Let’s look at it again and insert “Word” to clarify it.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me (the Word), and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me (the Word) you can do nothing. 

Wow!  That really explains the failure of some believers to walk in victory.  They are not in the Word regularly.  Some rarely crack open a Bible.  We cannot be strong Christians and walk in abundant faith without the Word because faith comes by the Word (see Romans 10:17).

But this can be changed- we can go from pathetic to powerful if we will choose to consistently read, meditate and speak the Word of God.  If you have not been living the overcoming life, commit to truly abide in Him by getting in the Word.  It is a process, and it will take some time, but the results will amaze you.