This morning God led me back to a passage He had me in almost a month ago (told you I was a slow learner): John 15:9-17. Then it was about “remaining in His love”. Today was a slight variation on that theme (although they are related).

First, Jesus starts off with this:

When you obey my commandments,you remain in my love,
just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
John 15:10, NLT

You are my friends if you do what I command.
John 15:14, NLT

I don’t know about you, but two things came to mind here when I read this:

1. Yuck…I hate commands. I hate being told what to do (my authority issues)
2. OK, now that my tantrum is over…what exactly is Jesus commanding anyway?

The first reaction is of course not so good…but it blows by quickly. The second however is important. What is Jesus’ command for us? If we are supposed to follow His commandments, if we are supposed to do what He commands…what is it? (And of course we always think it’s going to be hard and no fun).

Jesus gives us the answer in this very same passage…twice (and it’s still easy to miss)…

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
John 15:12, NLT

This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:17, NLT

Doesn’t sound so bad right?

Or does it?

I’m off to give it try…

Tags: Commandment, Jesus, John, Love