Abide understanding the secrets of living for Jesus

by Warren W. Wiersbe

LIFE is your most precious possession. Don't take it for granted.

Right now, you are either wasting your life, spending your life, or investing your life. It is you who determines which course to follow.

Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (Jn. 10:10).

"The thief..." Who is he? Ultimately, of course, he is Satan, the enemy of God and of good. But the thief always has assistance from people and circumstances. One man is robbed of life because of impatience: he always jumps the gun, only to find that the gun is aimed at him. Another person is robbed of abundant life because of self indulgence -- food, sleep, sex, alcohol. You name it. Yes, there are many thieves that would like to keep us from enjoying Christ's abundant life; memories of past failures, fears of the future, a feeling that you're not important and that nobody cares. How tragic going through life and really not living!

The abundant life can be yours.

In His message about the Vine and the branches, Jesus Christ points out five spiritual secrets that lead to abundant life.

Please take these five spiritual secrets to heart: They work!

Warren Wiersbe
Moody Church, Chicago, 1977

(Preface to Abide: Understanding the Secrets of Living for Jesus, Wiersbe, 2016 reprint of 5 Secrets of Living, 1977)

Genres: Christian, Discipleship, Nonfiction

78 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Warren W. Wiersbe, former pastor of the Moody Church and general director of Back to the Bible, has traveled widely as a Bible teacher and conference speaker. Because of his encouragement to those in ministry, Dr. Wiersbe is often referred to as 'the pastor's pastor.' He has ministered in churches and conferences throughout the United States as well as in Canada, Central and South America, and Europe. Dr. Wiersbe has written over 150 books, including the popular BE series of commentaries on every book of the Bible, which has sold more than four million copies. At the 2002 Christian Booksellers Convention, he was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Dr. Wiersbe and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Reviews

[Nitoy Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it’s safe to say that you can’t go wrong with a Wiersbe book. His Bible commentary and Be Series are a must have for Christians. And having 10 of Those reprinting a Wiersbe book is a great move, not just it will sell but how a believer will really profit from the pen of this great author.

With great clarity and precision, Wierbe unpacks John 15 revealing the “secret” of living for Christ. In John 15, we are told that we are the branches and God is the vine dresser. Wierbe made that pivotal episode in the ministry of Jesus Christ unforgettable, endearing and comforting as he deals with the issue of fruit bearing for the believers. Abide is not a stiff or cold lesson rather a vivid and lively excursion to John’s gospel that will excite believers to get their hands dirty for God. Every chapter drips with pastoral care only Wierbe can deliver.

Abide is simple, practical and thoroughly biblical, something you’ll expect to Warren W. Weirsbe. The secret is out! Live for Christ by following and knowing these secrets. This book will push you back to the Scriptures and look at God’s best for His elect. By far one of my best reads from 10 of those and I’m looking forward for more . Highly recommended!

My verdict:

5 out of 5

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short (less than 80 pages), A5 sized book based around John 15: 1-17, which I received as a gift at the end of a Church group where we discussed the passage over dinner.

The book, which make a good daily devotional over a week, has a straightforward structure with five interlinked chapters.

The secret of living is fruit bearing

Witnessing and winning souls, holiness of life, character, sharing good works, and praise and testimony.

The secret of fruit bearing is abiding (in Christ)

We bear fruit for God’s glory. We experience the Father’s pruning that we might bear more fruit. We have a sense of weakness and know that we are only the branches: Christ is the vine. We have our prayers answered. We love the brethren and are hated by the world. We experience a deep joy in spite of circumstances.

The secret of abiding is obeying (giving God your will)
The secret of obeying is loving (giving God your heart)
The secret of loving is knowing (giving God your mind)

[Jonathan Downing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely meditation on John 15 focusing on obedience and what it looks like to abide in Christ.

[Phil Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a helpful book on the important subject of Abiding in Christ from an excellent author. It covers the essential aspects of knowing Christ, obeying, loving and bearing fruit. It helpfully reminds the reader of the importance of spending time with Christ daily and provides some useful practical tips. A very important subject covered in an easy to read style from an excellent author.

[Guilherme Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is the meaning of all of our lives?
It's fruit bearing.
Essentially, there are two vineyards:
the vine of Earth and vine of God.

We all bear fruit: the vine of Earth bears sour fruits, but the vine of God bears good fruit.
But what is fruit bearing & how can we achieve it as we feeble human reeds live in this world with the short but potentially glorious time given us?

Fruit bearing is the process of internal work (our thoughts, plans, & goals) & external work (deeds towards others) done by the Spirit in us abiding in Christ. It's the process of becoming like Him in every inch of our beings.

How is it done?
FRUIT-BEARING is done by ABIDING in Christ through OBEYING Him by LOVING Him achieved only by KNOWING Christ.

"It is a fundamental law of the universe, ordained by God, that obedience leads to abiding. The person who obeys the laws of health will abide in health. The farmer who obeys the laws of nature will abide & enjoy the fruits of his labour. The scientist who obeys the laws of science will abide & be able to accomplish things. God has written certain laws & principles into this world, and we cannot disobey them without suffering." Pg 44

"There are laws that require mothers & fathers to care for their children, but no loving parent ever thinks of those laws!" Pg 57

[Gavin Felgate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short book based entirely around John Chapter 15, verses 1-17 in the Bible, where Jesus talks about how He is the True Vine and His followers are the branches.

This book tells in a very easy-to-follow structure, how to live as a follower of Jesus, and as part of the "vine".

I found the writing style very clear, with five different subjects, based on what you need to achieve one goal, followed by another chapter on how you achieve that.

So, the chapters are:
1) The secret of living is fruitbearing
2) The secret of fruitbearing is abiding
3) The secret of abiding is obeying
4) The secret of obeying is loving
5) The secret of loving is knowing

I enjoyed reading this, almost like a checklist of how the best way to live is; I liked how the book constantly used the "fruit" and "harvest" metaphors used in the Bible regarding how believers should bring non-believers to know Jesus.

This is a recommended book to anyone who is Christian, or who has an interest in knowing about the Christian faith.

[Julius Tennal II · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic little book that reminds us of what we already know but find difficult to actually live out.

The secret to living is bearing fruit.
The secret to bearing fruit is abiding.
The secret to abiding is obeying.
The secret to obeying is loving.
The secret to loving is knowing.

It’s short, encouraging and helpful. Everyone should read this!

[Chris Joines · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful excerpt on John 15. In a short book, Warren Wiersbe does an incredible job of explaining how we must abide in Christ and what that looks like for the Christian life. It is a super easy read, the content is refreshing and easily digestible. I would recommend this to all ages. It will become a regular in my youth ministry.

[Evan Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Brief and perhaps frustratingly simple and generic. But when you really get rolling the simplicity of it assets with understanding.

This book took me 3-4 starts and stops because of how vanilla the writing style is but today I got on a roll and read 3/4s of it in one spiritually challenging sitting.

[Corne Kooyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had challenged me in every aspect of Christian life. I don't mean that in a "rude awakening" type of challenge, but rather a reminder that too often we fall into the habit of "being Christian" rather than living it. We are called to abide in the vine, so then let us abide.

[Rebekka Accardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a powerful little book on John 15. It is divided into 5 chapters ideal for personal Bible Study.
Also a good reminder that apart from Christ we can not do anything.

“The secret of living is fruit bearing, and the secret of Fruit bearing is abiding.
What is the secret of abiding?
It is obeying; give God your will.
What is the secret of obeying?
It is loving; give God your heart.
What is the secret of loving?
It is knowing; give God your mind.”

[Brett Ricley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short yet profoundly helpful little book! Only 78 pages yet Wiersbe unpacks John 15 in five chapters. Each chapter is grounded in Scripture and applied practically. This is a great read for new believers and seasoned believers as well.

[Tyler Storz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book I've read by Wiersbe. I was blown away by his simplicity and straight forward writing style. Seemed like this book was a sermon series that was transcribed. Nonetheless I was greatly helped by it.

[Jennifer Pierpont · Rating 5 out of 5]

The passage in John 15 about abiding in the vine can seem challenging and elusive to understand. In this short book, Wiersbe fleshes this out in a way that is accessible and extremely practical. I highlighted many passages and will refer back to his wisdom. Highly recommend

[Marilyn Papierski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book full of quotable quotes and a simple format and applicable wisdom.

[Hoi Lam H Cheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful short read that offers a clear, practical guide to abiding in Christ, showing how daily surrender, prayer, and obedience lead to deeper joy, spiritual growth, and lasting fruit.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Warren Wiersbe is like sitting down with your spiritual Grandfather in a dark paneled library full of books, cozy hot drinks, and an expanse of time foreign to present culture, for a rich, simple, profound discussion of the Lord Jesus and His ways.

I’m not a big fan of the “secrets” titling. I think it communicates a gnostic or secret knowledge approach that we see promoted in non-canonical works, as if Jesus was mysteriously holding out on listeners, when His ministry was just the opposite – an in-the-flesh-revelation of the God of the Universe (see John 1, John 17, and Hebrews 1).

From applause to 10 of These for re/stocking Wiersbe, to commendation of Wiersbe’s ministry of faithfulness, to praise Wiersbe’s the excellent Be Series, Nitoy Gonzales’s review says everything else of what I thought after reading Abide for a week…
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

When in seminary, I often sought out Wiersbe’s perspective via his commentaries, and when he came to town to speak, he was not to be missed. I recommend all his work, and look forward to his continuation of it, when we all get to heaven. For a brief biography, see GotQuestions: Who was Warren Wiersbe?
https://www.gotquestions.org/Warren-W...