Reflect
John 15 contains a particular conjunction we need to pay attention to. It highlights the conditional clauses that Jesus shares. That word is “if.” The condition for remaining in God’s love, for friendship with Jesus, for bearing fruit, and for receiving what we ask for in prayer is tied directly to “if” we obey. Jesus chose us, but we have free will to decide if we will obey his commands.
The specific command to follow here is, “Love each other.” Love is defined by Father God and lived out in Jesus’ example. Our understanding of love and how it is practiced must be formed by God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Jesus did not live out love in contradiction to the Father. If we want to comprehend the love of God, remain in his love and love others likewise, we must be willing to have our earthly, often hurtful perceptions of love transformed.
Apply
You likely excel in loving others in certain areas. Name out the ways in which you sense God is delighted in your practice of love. Give him thanks for the ways in which he has enabled you to love others well. Then, ask God if there is a person or circumstance in which he would like to transform or ignite your practice of love. To close, reflect on 1 John 4:7-21, another passage on God’s pure love.
Pastor Melissa
Pray
- Pray through the prayer section in our program
- Pray for Karen Alksne, our Congregational Life Ministry Associate
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Mike Bartusek and his family
- Pray for all our small group leaders. Pray for our Hospitality Coordinator, Irene Dickau