Have you ever been asked to sum something up in one word?  Sometimes it is a complicated concept and coming up with one word is tough.  When it comes to God and the Bible one word stands out over and over, love.  Let’s look at some of Jesus’ words about this found in John 15.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

As Jesus prepares to leave His disciples He wants them to know the things that are of the utmost importance.  He has already summed up the Law by saying love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.  He has demonstrated love for others throughout His time on earth.  Now He tells them to remain in His love and to love each other.  In John’s later letter he even says, “God is Love” I John 4:8.  I think if there is a one word summary of what it truly means to be a follower of Jesus it is clearly love.  Now it might be simple but it certainly isn’t easy.  We tend to be naturally prone toward selfishness and love is putting others before yourself.  We live in a world that can be divided and divisive but God calls us to love our enemies which is not easy at all.  Today make it a point to go out of your way to show someone love in a special way.  After all Love is why we are here!

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave