1 “In order to our fruitfulness, we must abide in Christ, must keep up our union with him by faith, and do all we do in religion in the virtue of that union. Here is, (1.) The duty enjoined (v. 4): Abide in me, and I in you. Note, It is the great concern of all Christ’s disciples constantly to keep up a dependence upon Christ and communion with him, habitually to adhere to him, and actually to derive supplies from him. Those that are come to Christ must abide in him: "Abide in me, by faith; and I in you, by my Spirit; abide in me, and then fear not but I will abide in you;’’ for the communion between Christ and believers never fails on his side. We must abide in Christ’s word by a regard to it, and it in us as a light to our feet. We must abide in Christ’s merit as our righteousness and plea, and it in us as our support and comfort. The knot of the branch abides in the vine, and the sap of the vine abides in the branch, and so there is a constant communication between them.” Henry, M. Let’s get what Matthew Henry is saying here. How can we possibly “do all we do in religion in the virtue of that union”?

2 “In order to our fruitfulness, we must abide in Christ, must keep up our union with him by faith, and do all we do in religion in the virtue of that union. Here is, (1.) The duty enjoined (v. 4): Abide in me, and I in you. Note, It is the great concern of all Christ’s disciples constantly to keep up a dependence upon Christ and communion with him, habitually to adhere to him, and actually to derive supplies from him. Those that are come to Christ must abide in him: "Abide in me, by faith; and I in you, by my Spirit; abide in me, and then fear not but I will abide in you;’’ for the communion between Christ and believers never fails on his side. We must abide in Christ’s word by a regard to it, and it in us as a light to our feet. We must abide in Christ’s merit as our righteousness and plea, and it in us as our support and comfort. The knot of the branch abides in the vine, and the sap of the vine abides in the branch, and so there is a constant communication between them.” Henry, M. This is where the Christian life will make or break you. This is that point where what you profess to believe will either rise to the occasion and step you into the power of the risen Christ, or you will collapse in your flesh and do what makes the most sense to your flesh. It is at this point where the Truth converges with your faith and your choice, and something that does not exist in your powerless body suddenly becomes God’s power in you to do anything! Notice that when faith meets with Truth, it literally creates something in us that did not exist previously. That is why people question whether they would have the power to do something in faith, but when they find themselves similarly challenged, they DO possess the power. It is created in the moment by the Truth and our faith. Let’s look at what happens at this wonderful point.

3 Event Emotional Triggers Self-confidence Self-protection Self-promotion Self-destruction Event Faith Hope Obedience Joy Perfect Life

4 Event Emotional Triggers Self-confidence Self-protection Self-promotion Self-destruction Event Faith Hope Obedience Joy Perfect Life Let’s see how these two systems work in some of the biblical records we have already seen. Saul goes out to fight the Philistines and discovers he is horribly outnumbered.

5 Event Emotional Triggers Self-confidence Self-protection Self-promotion Self-destruction Event Faith Hope Obedience Joy Perfect Life Saul doesn’t want to DIE! He isn’t sure any of this king stuff is worth the risk of the natural course of living. In every historic example, the larger army always defeats the smaller.

6 Event Emotional Triggers Self-confidence Self-protection Self-promotion Self-destruction Event Faith Hope Obedience Joy Perfect Life Saul does the math and realizes the odds are absolutely against his survival. We all have our emotional triggers, but notice that we are clearly stepping into human volition when we begin to assess our situations according to our own understanding as Proverbs 3:5-6 forbids. Do you realize how often you do this, that right here at this point you are choosing to identify what is going on around you, assigning intent in the statements and actions of others, and that right here you are taking your first step into deadly selfishness?

7 Event Emotional Triggers Self-confidence Self-protection Self-promotion Self-destruction Event Faith Hope Obedience Joy Perfect Life He decides he HAS to do something to keep his soldiers on the field because to do nothing would ensure death. It is also at this point that you choose to do something after your flesh, to say something to someone who isn’t doing what you want, and you are actually plunging yourself into independence. Often in counseling, discussions of what happened in an event, what was said, who did what, I will ask why someone said what he or she said. Women will often grimace and say “Well, - I don’t know.” Because it is usually at this point where it becomes obvious that something said, that precipitated such a costly consequence, had absolutely no value or goal. It was just meant to hurt. Do you see the “self” in that?

8 Event Emotional Triggers Self-confidence Self-protection Self-promotion Self-destruction Event Faith Hope Obedience Joy Perfect Life “I will offer the sacrifice since Samuel isn’t here yet and at least the men will stop deserting.” It is also at this point that you rehearse the blame you ascribed to your opponent and affirm that what you chose to do in response to his or her selfishness was appropriate and effective. You can see this in your desire to share your abuse with your friends and family and try to get them to agree with your decisions.

9 Event Emotional Triggers Self-confidence Self-protection Self-promotion Self-destruction Event Faith Hope Obedience Joy Perfect Life “Now your reign as King will come to an end. God has a man who is after His own heart.” At this point our decisions result in broken relationships, divorce, revenge affairs, financial disaster and all other kinds of destruction.