The first month of the year has already flown by, and it is time to start a new study series! Since February is the month in which we celebrate Valentine's Day, our theme is "Loving as a Believer." Our verses for this week are some of Jesus' words on love which he spoke to his disciples the night before His crucifixion.
"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you:..."
Jesus loves you. That fact is taken for granted all too often. We sing it all the time at church, we write it on t-shirts and bumper stickers and cups, and we say it over and over again. But have you allowed the awesomeness of that statement awe you? The Almighty Creator of the universe whom we have sinned against has chosen to love us. He loves us so much that he chose to die a cruel and agonizing death to pay our sin debt, then took up his life again, conquering death and sin. Praise the Lord!
"...continue ye in my love..."
The Greek word for "continue" here is meno. It literally means "to stay"(Strong's Definitions). Jesus wants us to stay planted in His love. We see this concept in the next verse as well where He talks about abiding in His love.
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
Jesus is the ultimate example for us. We see throughout His sinless life how He never failed to obey the Father. On multiple occasions the Father calls Jesus His "beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." Likewise, if we live a life of obedience to God, even if we cannot be perfect, we will remain in a loving relationship with God. Our obedience should be motivated by love and result in love.
"…These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
Jesus' love and His joy go hand in hand. Without Jesus we can have neither. Without obedience we cannot remain abiding in His love, and without His love we cannot have His joy.
This week take some time to study Jesus and the way He loved God and man so that you can follow His example. Stay obedient, abide in His love, and you will have full joy.
God bless.
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