John 15

I love the first few verses of John 15 about abiding in Jesus. Basically He says that it’s the only way we’ll bear any fruit. In verse 9 He tells us He loves us just as much as the Father loves Him (wow!), and that we should stay in His love. Works for me.

But then in verse 10 he says if we keep His commandments we’ll stay in His love. Are you thinking, “I knew it, He does love me less when I break His commandments.” Well hold on, because I don’t think that’s what He means.

First of all, that would violate Romans 8:38-39, that tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. But that verse also tells us that love is found in Christ Jesus. So we’re back to abiding in Him. Could it be that while breaking His commandments doesn’t change His love for us, it does take us out of the position of experiencing that love because we’re voluntarily “stepping out” of Jesus?

It makes sense in context with the next verse. If I can paraphrase verse 11, He’s saying, “I want you to stay in Me so you’ll have joy.” We need to stay in Him because that’s where the love and joy is, not in the enticements that cause us to break His commandments. And the good news is if we do step out, we can step right back in by repenting, and His love is there waiting for us.