Importunity

I am convinced that the Bible needs to be completely understood and that it can be completely understood. One can never understand it all and should hold suspect those who think that they do know it all. I am not trying to be confusing and contradictory by presenting these two ideas. If a person gets a Bible in plain modern day language, the reflection on the surface of those waters is easily viewed. As that same person asks God for understanding, and as they are reading along, a few of the passages will really begin to make sense. The Bible will paint a fuller picture — a landscape, if you will, a country one can walk through. Jesus talked direct, but He often talked in parables, picture stories, which contained within them answers, and wisdom, and insights. This is so those who really want to know can know. It does take diligence, persistence, and time (importunity).

The New Testament often refers to God, Jesus. or the Holy Spirit being inside Born Again Believers. I often stumble over that particular stone. Others seem to have no problem with the concept. However, the only way I can get a lot of stuff is in Jesus’ agricultural parables, like the various results the farmer has sowing seeds that land on different types of soil (Matthew 13).

As for the “dwelling in you” phrase, agriculture helps me again with the parable of the grapevine (John 15). From the roots flow water and nutrients. The farmer prunes the grapevine, cutting out unfruitful dead wood, but only cuts back the fruitful branches so they can bear even more fruit.

Anyways, the sap flowing from the roots reaches into the branches. The branches are attached to the vine, and the nourishment flows through the grapevine and also in the branches! The sap is both in the vine and the sap is also in the branches. The roots go deep down into the Earth. and as an allegory about Biblical history goes back to Abraham, King David, and deeper still, to the Creation itself! “I, Jesus…am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16)

Want to be grafted into the Vine? Want to have a fruitful life? “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23) Read the Bible and seek Jesus’ presence in your life.