The Sacramental Life – Day 340 – John 15-9-17 – Love Each Other – Growing As Disciples
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:9-17 (NIV)
Remain In My Love
You know that I love you. You know that I love you just as my Heavenly Father loved me. I demonstrated my love for you when I laid down my life for you. Could I have done anything more or better for you than to die on the cross as payment for your sins? Could you have received any greater gift than now being able to live the life of salvation that will never end? One day, you will come to live forever in heaven with me. How great a gift of love is that? Now, before you answer, do I need to point out that it was my Heavenly Father who sent me into the world so that you could be saved? He and I both made it possible for you to be forgiven of all your sins and cleansed of all your unrighteousness. You have been adopted as His child. You are now a part of His family. No greater love could have been given to you. This love will last for all eternity. How does this sound to you? I am in awe. I am bowed down before you. I am filled with hope and peace and joy. I am overflowing with gratefulness and thanksgiving. I could have asked for no greater gift. I love you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I am at your service. I am fully devoted to you. That is very good.
Now it is my desire that you remain in my love. Do you know how to remain in my love? Yes, I do. I will remain in your love by obeying your commands. I will live in an intimate relationship with you. I will listen to your voice. I will receive your instruction. I will follow your guidance. I will do whatever you ask of me. That’s good. What am I asking of you? You are asking me to love others just as you loved me. That is correct. How did I love others? You loved others unconditionally. You loved others sacrificially. You loved others even when they horribly mistreated you. Yes, I did. Will you follow my example? Will you love like I loved? Yes, I will. Then you will be able to do what I have called and appointed you to do. You will be able to go and bear fruit that will last. That is the desire of my heart. That is very good. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, thank you for loving me just as your Heavenly Father loved you. Thank you that I can remain in your love as I keep on obeying your commands. Help me to love others just as you love me. Thank you for choosing me and appointing me to bear fruit. Amen
Key Question… What must you do if you are a friend of Christ and want to remain in His love?
Living It Out… Obey Christ’s command and love others just as He loves you.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Christ loves you just as the Father loves Him.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are remaining in Christ’s love by obeying His commands.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you love others just as the Lord loves you.
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
The Sacramental Life – Day 340 – John 15-9-17 – Love Each Other – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide
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