Steven A. Bush - November 2, 2014
Abide in Jesus, Love One Another

At the Last Supper, just hours before the cross, Jesus talks to His disciples about glorifying the Father, abiding in the Son (The True Vine), bearing fruit that lasts, and abiding in His love. Ten times in this exchange He uses the word, 'abide.' Jesus said we abide in His love by keeping His commandments and if we keep His commandments we will be infused with His joy and will experience that joy to the fullest measure. And then in Verses 12-14 He seems to sum up everything by saying: "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." (ESV) Obeying Jesus' commands, bearing fruit that endures, loving others sacrificially, finding joy beyond description, and being His friends--not merely His servants, all wrapped up in what? Abiding in Him and loving one another.