Summer Fruit Devotion: Love Day 5

Abiding in Love

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” John 15:1-17

Jesus always says it best. If we hope to bear any spiritual fruit, especially love, we must abide in Jesus. He says both, “Abide in me,” and “Abide in my love.” His sacrificial love is the foundation of how we are to love one another. We can’t muster up this kind of love on our own, but Jesus “chose and appointed” us to go and bear this fruit. Doesn’t that just blow your mind? People usually get chosen and appointed to things they are qualified for. What qualifies us to go and bear spiritual fruit? Doesn’t our sin disqualify us from being chosen? What did Jesus say? “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.”

Journal time. You are not a barren branch, you are chosen and appointed to go and bear his love. Make a list of at least five unbelievers you would like to see saved and radically changed by God’s love. These could be people you know, friends, family, etc… people you are acquainted with, grocery clerk, someone at work or school, or even complete strangers, a celebrity or maybe a homeless person you see often. Pray seriously for opportunities to share the love Jesus has lavished on you.

Pray with me today. Heavenly Father, we are amazed that you save any of us at all. We don’t deserve your holy love, but you choose to adopt us as family and then appoint us to bear your love in a world full of fear and evil. Help us to abide so closely in Jesus and his love. We lift up our journal names to you God. Send your Holy Spirit and release them from the grip of the enemy. If there is any way we can bear your love in their lives let us do it. Give us open hearts to care, and boldness to speak your truth in love. In the cleansing and loving name of Jesus we pray, Amen.