Abiding In His Love

John 15:9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

How do we abide in Jesus' love? Jesus was our greatest example of how to abide in God's love. He always did what the Father wanted Him to do, and His peace was that the Father was with Him. In turn, He tells us now to abide in His love, by living obedient lives (our peace being that He is with us). When we live according to God's Word, we abide in His love. That type of close fellowship with His Father was Jesus' joy. Our Joy is full when we too abide in Jesus' love, by obeying what He commands. The command He gives in this chapter soon after making this statement in verse 9, is to love one another (v. 12). We are to love one another as He has loved us, and has given His life for us. He goes on to say that there is no greater love than when someone lays down their life for a friend (v. 13). We are called to lay down our lives for each other. Keep in mind that it doesn't always mean being physically killed for someone, although in some cases that may be true; but it also means that we are to put others, and their needs, before ourself, and our needs (as the Lord will take care of us). It means sacrificing our time, resources, and whatever else God asks of us, in order to bless another. This is not always easy, as sometimes God asks us to do this for even those who have tried, or have, harmed us or offended us in some way. This is how He loved us (even while we were yet His enemies). The Word of God tells us that love is the greatest of all. So let us strive to abide in His love, by obeying His Word, and His will, and by loving one another unconditionally (regardless of who it is, or what they've done).