“As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. 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.” John 15:9-10 HCSB
It is a song that we all have sung as children, “Jesus Loves Me This I Know.” The lyrics are “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.” Jesus challenges us to remain in His love and to keep His commands.
Jesus taught His disciples many things but He gave them a new command, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul”, and “Love your neighbor as yourself”. If we follow these two simple commands we will fulfill the other commandments and teachings of Jesus. Our obedience to His commands is an expression of our love for Him. Love compels obedience and obedience nurtures a greater love for Him.
Challenge: Jesus modeled the perfect “love” relationship between Himself and God the Father. How do you measure up against Jesus’ love? What type of “love” relationship do you have with God, the Father? What can you do this week to improve your relationship with God the Father and to specifically love those whom you find hard to love?