Posted: Anne Barcus
Date: August 13,2020
Scripture: John 15: 12,9,1-8,17 adapted
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12
OBSERVATION – This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you…I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love… I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the Gardner. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t love like I love, and he prunes the branches that do love so they will love even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in my love, and my love will remain in you. For a branch cannot love with my love if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot love unless you remain in my love. Yes, I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them will love much. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who doesn’t remain in my love is thrown away like useless branches and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in my love and the Word, Jesus, remains in you, you may ask for anything you want and it will be granted! When you love much you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father…This is my command: Love each other.
APPLICATION – As I get to know the Love of God, I will live the love of God.
PRAYER – Holy Spirit come and fill me with God’s love so that it spills out on those I have contact with today. Change me so that my first response is love.
This verse also “allows” us to love those who are unloveable, such as family members who are living with sinful choices. We don’t want to turn our backs on them and this commandment from Jesus frees us to not judge but allows us to love!