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1. What we find, then, is that "the abundant life" can become a self- perpetuating cycle! a. For if we are willing to "know God" (by giving Him our minds as read His Word and pray)... b. ...then we will "love God" (and give Him our hearts as we learn of His love for us) c. Loving God we will then "obey God" (and in so doing, give Him our wills since we are motivated by love) d. Obeying God, we will "abide in Him" (and thus benefit from His strength) e. Abiding in Him and benefiting by His strength, we will "bear fruit" (and thereby enjoy the blessings found in the very act of doing so) -- And through the experience of bearing fruit and walking with God, our knowledge of Him will increase, and the cycle starts all over again! 2. We must expose ourselves to "the abundant life" that Jesus offers. a. Know God by reading His Word b. Coming to know God is the most important thing we can do in life - Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: [24] But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. 1) To know God is to love Him 2) To love God is to obey Him 3) To obey God is to abide in Him 4) To abide in God is to bear fruit for Him 5) To bear fruit is to experience "the abundant life" the Vine offers to His branches |