09 Dec OUR LOVE BEARS FRUIT FOR THE LORD
This is the fifth in a series of encouraging articles about the Blessings and Joy We Receive From God and Jesus.
As we have seen in the past four articles, we receive great blessings from the love God and Jesus have for us, and from sharing that love with others. One of the most powerful ways we share God’s love is by helping others to become disciples of Christ.
Jesus encouraged us to love others as he has loved us:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Brothers and sisters, our love for one another helps others to believe that we are genuinely disciples of Christ!
In the passage below, Jesus teaches us to love each another. As we love, he will bring us great joy!
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s command and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:9-13)
Not only does Jesus’ love for us give us great joy; as we live in his love and obey his commands, we bear fruit for the Lord:
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.” (John 15:16-17)
Jesus wants us to go and bear fruit, both the fruit of spiritual growth in our hearts and the fruit of helping others to become his disciples!
In the passage below, Jesus tells us more about how to teach others his ways:
“All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
We are to teach others to become disciples and then baptize them. Jesus promises to be with us and help us as we do these things! This is how we carry on the mission and love of Jesus in our day, bearing fruit among our neighbors, family, and friends.
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