Love, Obedience, and Fruitfulness

In John 15, Jesus says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” He has just said to His disciples—and to us—to remain in Him (see previous post—Apart from Me…).  Now, we are to remain in His love.

He then goes onto say that one way to remain in His love is to obey Him—to live out our purpose as Jesus lived out His purpose (see previous posts Calling and Purpose 34—Jesus,  Finishing Our Work as Jesus Did). Jesus promises that as we obey Him, His joy will be in us and our joy will be complete.

Then, as if one of the disciples had asked Jesus “how do we obey you, Lord?”, Jesus says “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”  They know how much Jesus has loved them thus far.  They will soon learn what Jesus means by “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” as He suffers and dies for them—and for us. There is no greater love.

Jesus then says that we are chosen and appointed by Him to “go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.”  And he bookends the discussion by repeating: “This is my command: Love each other” (See John 15:9-17).

In what ways does the deep love of Jesus motivate you to obey Him, to remain in Him and remain in His love?  Don’t you love thinking about having the complete joy of Jesus in you?  Have there been times when you are doing something that fits your God-given purpose and calling and you have a sense of that joy? Jesus’ command to go and bear lasting fruit is tied to loving others. What you aren’t clear on the next thing, you can still be committed to loving those around you.

Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been EquipConnectServe Director at her 1,200 member church since 1999.

Photo © Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.