ABIDING

John 15:9-10

As the Father loved Me, I also have 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. John 15:9-10, NKJV

Jesus is the eternal, uncreated Son of God who was in the bosom of the Father from before the foundation of the world and who has been loved by the Father from eternity past. The love that the Father has for the Son is deep, abiding, immeasurable, and eternal love. It is a love that passes the understanding of our limited human minds; it is a love that can never be comprehended by our understanding.

And yet on the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples that the love He has for them is the same as the love that the Father has for His only begotten Son, and the Lord Jesus has that same depth of love for all of His children. He loves all who are called by His name with an everlasting love, for He told us that. "As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you. Abide in My love."

We are accepted by the Father, in Christ, and we are loved with an incomprehensible love by the Lord Jesus Himself, who has called us to abide in His love. Let us abide in Him and rest in His love, so we may bear fruit, much fruit, to the praise and honor of our Father in heaven.

When Jesus asks us to obey, let's not see it as something onerous, burdensome, and limiting. Instead, let's see Jesus' command, and our obedience to that command, as the protection of a loving Savior trying to safeguard, bless, and care for His beloved children. When we obey Jesus, we remain under the protection of His love rather than in the danger of our rebellion!!!

Father, thank You for this day and the amazing, unfailing love You fill us with. Lord, open the windows of heaven, and let Your abundant blessings flow over us and our family today. Father, thank You that You loved us so much that You sent Your Son to die for us. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your immeasurable love toward us. Lord, we pray that we may keep Your commands and remain in Your love every moment of the day, just as You kept Your Father's commands and remained in His love. Lord, Your ways are not our ways; Your understanding is way beyond our understanding. Lord, use us to love others with the same love You have for them.

Father, we love You. Amen.