Oct
27
Written by:
Bob Flynn
10/27/2009 6:38 AM
Those whom God loves as a Father, may despise the hatred of all the world. As the Father loved Christ, who was most worthy, so he loved his disciples, who were unworthy. All that love the Savior should continue in their love to him, and take all occasions to show it. The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment, but the joy of those who abide in Christ's love is a continual feast. They are to show their love to him by keeping his commandments. If the same power that first shed abroad the love of Christ's in our hearts, did not keep us in that love, we should not long abide in it. Christ's love to us should direct us to love each other. He speaks as about to give many things in charge, yet names this only; it includes many duties. (Matthew Henry)
We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy. (1 John 1:4 NLT)
I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! (John 15:11 NLT)
The fruit of Christ's love is fullness of His joy! Not just full but literally crammed full like a net. When our countenance is fallen (head hung low) is it because the circumstances are overwhelming or is it because we have strayed from the intimacy in Christ that He has made available to us because of His Grace? I say strayed because the verse preceding speak of remaining in His love and covey the method of doing so is being obedient to His commandments. So once again we see the simplicity of the faith is obedience as the Apostle Paul has reminded us. Not the kind of forced subordination that our human falleness would conjure up. To the contrary it is because of His love in us that we get to obey! Otherwise we would be lost under the law just as Israel. And what is the commandment?
This is My commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. (John 15:12 NLT)
How could we even consider that we would be able to love as Christ except that we are filled with that very love? Only Christ is able to do the impossible! However, since He is in us, then His love may flow through us if we remain in His love and obey. Encourage each other with these thoughts today!