February 23

Unbroken Fellowship Essential

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. — John 15:7 BSB

To live unto Christ, we must first be in Christ, and to claim this promise, we must abide in Him. To abide in Jesus means never to leave Him for another love or another pursuit, but to remain in a living, loving, conscious, and willing union with Him. The branch is not only close to the vine but also receives life and fruitfulness from it. All true believers abide in Christ to some extent, but there is a deeper meaning to abiding, one that we must experience if we are to gain unlimited power in prayer. “Ask whatever you wish” is a promise for those like Enoch, who walk with God, or John, who rested on Jesus’ bosom, or those whose union with Christ leads to constant communion.

The heart must remain in love with Christ, the mind must be rooted in faith, and hope must be anchored in His Word. The whole person must be united with the Lord, or else it would be dangerous to grant us power in prayer. This carte blanche is only given to those whose very life is “not I, but Christ lives in me.” O you who break your fellowship with Christ, what power you lose! If you want to be mighty in prayer, the Lord Himself must abide in you, and you in Him.