John 15:9-17

 John 15:9-17

This passage provides for us a sort of manifesto for life in the community of disciples, the church.  What we see in this passage is the foundation for life together as followers of Christ, both locally and globally.  Three themes are developed for our life together: love, holiness, and joy. First is love. With the same intensity that the Father loves the Son, the Son loves the disciples. This love is agape and it is the all pervasive modus operandi of the Father for the Son and the Son for us. It is far from sentimental and it is deeper than merely an emotional response. It is all-pervasive so that all that comes to us from God is motivated by love. Even the painful moments, which turn us toward God, have behind them the origin of love. God's love is not the only operative force in the universe but even the power of evil is restrained by God's love.

Living in that love draws out of us a motivation to obey. The life of Holiness is more than keeping a set of rules.  It is, in fact, living out of the love of Christ for, in, and through us. Indeed this love is behavioral. No one murders his brother out of love.  But it is more than rule keeping. It is living as a love or thank offering each day. Holiness, this obedience, is proactively loving God and man.

When we are basking, abiding in and living in this love which expresses itself in obedience the result is the joy of Christ is in us and that joy becomes full.  Love and obedience is how we have joy.   Joy is not dependent on our circumstances. Joy is possible even in our suffering and in being hated by the world.   The joy acts as a catalyst to more full awareness of and expression of love and holiness.

As love, holiness and joy grow our relationship with God matures. It moves from one level to another and we become friends of God.  And then we grow more and and we become  even better friends of God.

“Lord, shape me so that I live a life of love, holiness, and joy. AMEN”