Earlier in chapter 15 Jesus told us that if we abide in Him His word would abide in us. Jesus let us know that He chose us and that we should go and bear much fruit (see Galatians 5:22-25); this fruit would show we are His disciples.

The love He speaks of here is agapao love. This is the same type love the Lord has toward us. Jesus commands that we not only be holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:16 [Lev. 11:44] also see Eph. 1:4 ) He also commands us to love one another as He loves us. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a the Holy Spirit teaches us what love is: "Love is patient, love is kind; is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

Jesus commands us to be holy and to love one another as He loves us. This does not mean we are to compromise our faith. On the contrary, those who see the love of Christ through us will be drawn to Him as in the early church.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching us Your will through Your Holy Spirit. Empower us with agapao love that we may love those around us as You love us for it is not by might nor by power but by Your Spirit, Lord, that we can accomplish such a task.

Have a wonderful day in the Lord!
April
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