REMAIN IN CHRIST'S LOVE
- Key Verse
- This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. (John 15:12, NLT)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
For us to remain in the love of Christ we need to obey His commandments. In this passage Jesus specifically states His commandment in verse 12, "Love each other in the same way I have loved you." He repeats His command in verse 17, "Love each other."
Reflections
In John 15, Jesus uses the analogy of the vine and the branches to remind us that we should remain in Him and He in in us. We cannot bear fruit without remaining in Him.Every time I thought of this chapter, I thought of John 15:7 (NIV), "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." However, as I started the journey of studying this chapter it struck me that God was teaching me about His love. In verse 10 Jesus equates our loving Him to obeying His commands. Then He goes ahead to state His command in verse 12. It is easy for us as believers to quickly jump and get excited about the blessing we receive in our walk with God, and lay less emphasis on one of the greatest commandments to "love one another".
Loving one another is an everyday journey, as is our walk in Christ as believers. Loving others is not always easy, especially when they are unkind, ungrateful, mean, unjust, show partiality, and the list can be endless. Jesus did not only tells us to love one another but He set the standard "as I have loved you." Wow, what a standard! Thankfully God never asks us to do something that he does not give us the ability to accomplish.
Talking of God giving ability: I remember many years ago someone hurt my feelings so much that I felt I did not have the ability to forgive them. However, I knew that God required me to forgive and so I prayed that God would give me the ability to forgive. After a few months of praying and seeking God about the issue, one day I felt God just lift the burden and bitterness. He gave me the grace to forgive, something I could not do in my own strength. Although this is an example of forgiveness and God's grace, there are many times in our walk of loving one another that we find we need to learn to forgive and continue loving.
Discussion Questions
1. What was Jesus' command?
2. How did Jesus demonstrate His love for us?
3. What does it mean to love one another?
4. What challenges do we face in loving one another?
Pastor Saleem Masih Gill
April 27, 2010 04:15 AM
Dear Pastor Greeting in Jesus Name I hope you are ok I pray for you God give you long Life and good health Pastor Saleem Masih Gill
Dorothy Beebe
April 27, 2010 08:20 AM
Hi Carol! I'm so glad to visit with you via this devotional this morning. Jesus kept His command to us so simple. I really appreciate this, because He knows how complicated life can become in this sin filled world. He understands us even in what He asks us to do. His command to us is to love one another. 2. Jesus demonstrates His love for us in a million ways everyday. When I first became a Christian though, His death on the cross and the revelation that He forgave every one of MY sins, demonstrated His love for me. 3. To love one another means to follow Christ's example in every way. For Christ IS love. 4. The challanges I face in loving all the people in my life have to do with my lack of perspective and ability and willingness. Every time I become aware of my lack in one or all of these areas, I take my need to Jesus and He helps me through His Word, a fellow believer, or His wonderful presence. Sometimes it has to be a combination of all of these over several applications. It is a process, but thank God, He is patient! God bless you and your sweet family today Carol. Love, Dorothy Beebe