Abiding Love

November 8, 2020 Background Scripture: John 15:4 – 17 Lesson Passage: John 15:4 – 17 Abiding love, simply put, is a benevolent love that remains or perseveres—no matter what happens. On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus encouraged his disciples to remain connected to him and to persevere in the coming years. Jesus was about to leave the world, and they would no longer have his physical presence with them. Jesus knew that their ability to overcome what they would be confronted with was dependent on their willingness to stay connected with him. He would give them the instructions and the strength to persevere, but they had to willingly submit to his lordship. This would allow them to be spiritually fruitful. Likewise, a Christian today can be spiritually fruitful by allowing Jesus to guide and direct them through his word. The only way to be spiritually fruitful is to allow Jesus to lead. No fruit means nothing spiritual can be accomplished without Jesus. Jesus used the analogy of the grapevine to help his disciples understand what he was teaching them. Jesus is the vine and believers in Jesus are branches on the vine. All grapes grow on the branches—none grow on the vine. Everything needed for grapes to grow and mature comes through the branch, but it must come from the vine! Branches can only provide what they receive from the vine. If a branch becomes disconnected from the vine, it cannot stay alive or produce any fruit. Jesus also enlighten them by telling them that bearing fruit glorifies God. God is not glorified by lip-service or empty rhetoric. Souls being saved and Christians coming to spiritual maturity glorify God through Jesus. Jesus’ entire ministry unfolded because he was connected to the Father. Jesus submitted himself to the Father and depended on Him for everything. Jesus’ ministry was spiritually fruitful, and God was glorified in him and well-pleased. Therefore, Jesus’ life glorified the Father. Because of his fruitful ministry, God gave Jesus everything he needed to be fruitful. Today, Jesus continues to glorify the Father through his followers that are connected to him. Jesus extends the same to his followers that God gave him. If you are fruitful, you can ask for and receive everything you need to be more fruitful. God did not deny Jesus anything he requested that would allow him to continue to bear fruit to God’s glory. Jesus always abided in the love of the Father. Jesus makes the same request of his followers. Christians should abide in Jesus’ love. Abiding in Jesus’ love means to listen to and follow his instructions. This is how Jesus was able to abide in the Father’s love. Jesus’ principal instruction/command is for his followers to love each other as Jesus had loved them. Jesus’ love is demonstrated in Calvary—no greater love has anyone than to lay down his life for another. Jesus died physically as a sacrificial offering for the sins of his followers. Jesus asks his followers to love each other as he loves us. This is not asking that we physically die for each other, but rather that we die spiritually to the world so we can better serve each other. The world will perceive a distinguishing sign, or mark, that will readily identify Christians. That mark will not be in the jewelry we put on or the clothes we wear. A Christian’s speech will not be enough to identify them. Our love for each other is the only sign the world will have to identify us. And it must be an abiding love. Robert C. Hudson October 26, 2020