Prelude
We often think of love as the number one rule of a Christian life. But, Jesus places a different emphasis on it than many may think? Purpose: Let’s discover Jesus’ different emphasis on love. Plan: Let’s note Jesus' words in John 15:9-17.
Abide in My Love
John 15:9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love [agapé].
Abide means in His love. Abide in the vine means abide in the love that He has for us.
John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love [agapé], just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love [agapé].
Abide means keep Jesus’ commandments summarized by the word love. Jesus’ friends are “those who are loved.”
Joy to the Full
John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Abide means joy to the fullest. What is Jesus’ main commandment?
John 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Abide means we love one another.
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his [philos, beloved] friends.
Abide is like a game where the purpose is to help others win. What kind of sport is that? It’s a strange sport called Christianity. It is the sport of Jesus, proving His love through giving Himself.
Beloved Friends
John 15:14 You are My [philos, beloved] friends if you do whatever I command you.
Abide means we are Jesus’ beloved friends because we do “what He is commanding us” which is to love.
John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you [philos, beloved] friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
Abide means He has told us, His dear friends, heaven's secrets. Did He choose us?
Jesus’ Choice
John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
In this context, we did not make a “decision for Jesus.” He made a decision for us. What we choose is to abide in His love. Abide means we bear lasting fruit. Abide means our prayers are answered.
John 15:17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
Postlude
We know that Christianity is about brotherly love, but forget that it begins by abiding in Jesus’ love for us. His love overrides everything. He chose us. Let’s abide in His love.
New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
