John 15:1-17
The Vine and Its Branches
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
It is often said that one of the reasons nonbelievers do not believe in following Jesus is that we do not follow His behavior and teachings, even though we say we are Christians...The world needs to see Christians burning with love for an awesome God and a Son who is like no other and is Divine, Sacred, and Holy...We have to somehow learn to let go of this world and follow our love for Them and behave like the Son of God, as best we can...We cannot talk about and judge our neighbors and be critical of those we do not associate with...We have to somehow learn to love our enemies...Our own self-righteous and sinning for material wants and pleasures make us look like we are not followers of Jesus...We must show this Great Passion for God's Grace and Him sending us a Savior...
Despite our non-obedient lifestyle, God LOVES us and seeks us and wants us to worship Him in Spirit and Truth...He is a forgiving, merciful LOVING God, who knows us and our nature and dark side...Let us do as Jesus commands, let us love each other, despite our differences...Let us show to others our great love for the Father and the Son...