As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (Joh 15:9-12)
Love. Not a feeling or an emotion, but a command. An act of the will. This we are to do: Abide in Christ and Love one another. The result is Joy, not just happiness for that depends on the happenings around us, but real Joy. Joy of the Lord, which is our strength. Joy in our Salvation, which is our security. Joy in His Word, which is our foundation. And, Joy in our Home, for it our Hope. If your not living in Joy today, this passage tells us some of the reasons why you might not be experiencing the joy He gives: Either you are not saved, and are not in His love with GOD as your Father; or you are not loving as He commanded, and so you have lost the Joy that He tells us is ours in obedience.
If you don't have His love abiding in you, because you have never received Him; He calls you to repent, surrender to Him on His terms and be born again.
If you don't have His Joy, but you are one of His; He also calls you to repentance and commands that you love Him and one another that your Joy may be full.
Respond to Jesus today.
In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet
If you don't have His love abiding in you, because you have never received Him; He calls you to repent, surrender to Him on His terms and be born again.
If you don't have His Joy, but you are one of His; He also calls you to repentance and commands that you love Him and one another that your Joy may be full.
Respond to Jesus today.
In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet
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