Love... Is Abiding
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:4-11 (ESV)
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
1 John 4:16 (ESV)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My Voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20 (ESV)
The Bible calls John, ‘The one whom Jesus loved’ (John 13:23)– and, perhaps non-coincidentally, John writes the Books most focused on His love!
Regarding dwelling (abiding) in love, consider MacLaren’s Exposition on just one verse– namely, John 15:9:
'What a quiet, blessed home that is for us! The image, I suppose, that underlies all this sweet speech in these last hours, about dwelling in Christ, in His joy, in His words, in His peace, and the like, is that of some safe house, into which going, we may be secure. And what sorrow or care or trouble or temptation would be able to reach us if we were folded in the protection of that strong love...?' (MacLaren's Exposition on John 15:9).*
Dwelling in Christ, as a branch of the Vine, produces fruit. Good fruit. Traveling fruit. Internationally engaging fruit for a massive and hungry audience.
The specifically longed-for fruit of… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.**
Dwelling in Christ (Love) brings SECURITY: Rock-solid, never-fail security:
'The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall' (Matthew 7:25).
Love clears a bright path through media’s fields– to see and be seen by the Lord’s lost sheep, who desperately seek the love you hold, the hope you feel, and the Way to get it!
Love… Is Abiding (Part 26)
* John 15:9 Commentaries: "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
** But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law' (Galatians 5:22-23, NASB).
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re all called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re all called to models of Jesus, and we all have gifts, talents, and a commission to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend DAILY BIBLE READING.
WARNING: Don’t focus on your favorite verses, because taken out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!