God is invisible in nature. We, as humans, like to see and touch who we are communicating with. It can be hard for some to go to God and converse with Him, to take the time and spend it with Him. As we build our relationship with God, we will love other believers; by his Spirit, and the communications of his love, and by his gracious presence and communion, which he indulges the saints with; for such who love one another, as they appear to have the Spirit of God, of which that grace is a fruit, so they are by the Spirit built up a dwelling for God, and by which Spirit he dwells in them; and such may expect the presence of God, for they who live in peace, the God of love and peace shall be with them.
Let’s look at some other verses! Read John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”
John 15:1-17 – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept 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: to lay down one’s life for one’s 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 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. This is my command: Love each other.
What are these passages saying? How do these apply to follow Jesus?
In John 15, what are the two primary commands? We are to abide in Jesus and love one another. Why does this matter?
It matters because we can’t love others when we are not abiding in God. If we don’t love others, then we don’t really love God. To be a follower of Christ, we have to love and obey God’s commands and love others. Loving others is to know God. The key to intimacy with Christ is not to isolate yourself from others. We need to be connected to others.
Loving others is not a suggestion; it is a command of Jesus. Our connections extend beyond our emotions. Reread John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Positive actions characterize genuine love for others. As believers in Christ, we are moved to act, not “feel” love towards one another. This is what Jesus did when he went to the cross. It was love in action for all of us – His enemies. Our love for each other should motivate us to be self – sacrifice and service towards others in the family of God. Does this happen within our churches? We need to take the time and soul to search ourselves and make sure we truly love one another. Yes, we are going to have disagreements. How are we going to handle those situations when they happen? Are we going to let our feelings take over, or are we going to let the Holy Spirit guide us into the action of love?
Are there things in your life that take priority over the relationships God has given to you? How do you show love for other Christians?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving us and showing us how to love in action. One would think this would be to love others. However, I find it to be one of the hardest things. To love all people. God, I pray that as we meditate on what your word says today, we will listen to your words and put into actions of love to you and others. Help us to abide and to love.
In Jesus Name
Amen
