2^nd March

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love. When you obey My commandments, you remain in My love, just as I obey My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.”

John 15:9-10

For the last few days we have been looking at staying connecting to the source of life, Jesus Christ. We know that when we are connected to Him, our lives will produce the fruit of Christ-like living, both giving glory to His name, and helping others know His glory. Jesus takes the analogy a step deeper in today’s verse and encourages His disciples, and us, His children, to not only stay connected to the vine of Christ but remain in the love of Christ. Jesus said that we can stay in His love if we ‘obey His commandments’. Yet in truth, if we are loved by Him, then we will naturally obey His commandments, because we will want to do what pleases Him, just like an earthly loving relationship. We want to make our loved ones happy by doing things to please them.

Yet Jesus promises more than just making Him happy as we obey Him and remain in His love. He also promises us joy. A fact He repeats twice. ‘YES, your joy will overflow!’. But it gets better. Not only are we blessed with joy, but we are promised fellowship and friendship with the creator of this world. We are no longer slaves or puppets, but FRIENDS of God. We are chosen by God to be loved, to be friends of God and to produce lasting fruit through Him and for Him. Moreover, Jesus promises us that when we ask for anything in His name, He will give it to us. WOW. Isn’t that worth staying connected to Him? Isn’t that worth remaining in His love?