#27. July 06, 2015
2015 Devotional. Our goal for these weekly devotionals is to grow in humility and to grow spiritually by memorizing selected passages, putting them into context, and by applying them to our daily living. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know” by Freeman-Smith. All passages are from the NIV.
John 15:9
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
The first division of chapter 15, “The Vine and the Branches”, is the introduction to verse 9 and to the rest of the chapter. This chapter is about being with Jesus, more specifically being in Jesus and “remaining in His Love”. The introduction tells us to stay in Christ like a branch to the vine. Apart from the vine the branch is dead and so with us we cannot do anything apart from Jesus Christ. That is a truth we easily forget, we want to serve but sometimes we go in our own strength not getting the results we should, yet, God is faithful and uses us, even in our short comings. Further, we may “ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you”, if we remain in Him. This is in the context of bearing fruit for God’s glory, and showing us as disciples of Jesus. “Bear much fruit,” indicates the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23)
Verse 9 “As the Father has loved me” Jesus here is teaching us God’s love, Devine Love that does not fail, never gives up on a person, always forgives, always gives us multiple chances, and lays down His life. As Jesus loves us we are to love each other, the passage here is speaking of a Devine Love taught us by Jesus Christ. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” We are commanded to remain in Jesus’ love. We make that choice for ourselves but we do so in the Spirit of God. Jesus says: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (Emphasis mine) It is an amazing concept made clear in Eph. 1:3-14. Why us, why me Lord? It is a matter of God’s grace, His election, and His eternal plan, and His blessings with no imput or value on our part. We cannot understand God’s purposes, but we can respond to his choosing with thanksgiving and service; we acknowledge God’s love by bearing fruit. Bearing fruit is the concept behind “Now remain in my love”. God’s love is to be our love insofar as we are able to use the gifts God gives us and He is with us (Mt. 28:20). Praise be to God!
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Heavenhigh 