abiding in love

Good morning brothers and sisters,
Jesus tells his disciples that he loves them and that keeping his commandments will help them rest closely in his love. Try not to be put off by the word commandment; as we'll find out the commandment is to love one another. We often think of commands and commandments negatively, but Jesus' commandments are about love and discipleship. He leads the way by showing us the greatest love by laying down his life for his friends. That's a good word this week as we remember our fallen military brothers and sisters, and it's a good word as we think about Jesus call to discipleship. The call to discipleship is a call to follow Jesus in loving others actively. True love isn't fuzzy and it sometimes costs us dearly. So let us abide in Christ's love and bear lasting fruit for the kingdom.

God bless,
Sam

John 15:9-17

9As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. 12“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.



14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.