HOW TO REMAIN IN THE LOVE OF CHRIST - PART 3

MONDAY 22 JANUARY 2024

Remaining in the love of Christ usually points to our existence beyond spiritual death. The sacrificial love, on account of Christ's death and resurrection, which is the foundation of our Christian faith, made it possible for us to start functioning in the love of Christ in the realm of newness of life.

Reference: John 15:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)

"If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and remain in His love."

Jesus introduces Himself as our perfect example on earth. He is assuring us that we have the advantages which He had on earth. Just as He kept His Father's commandments and has remained in His love, we can do the same to experience and remain in His love.

Jesus's commandments are the prescribed orders and precepts He revealed by persistent instruction. For instance, He instructed us in John 15:12 saying, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (NKJV).

On the other hand, His teaching is based on divine ideas or principles which mirror the blessings of our Christian faith, for instance, the beatitudes. Such teaching guides us on how to live as God's own people in the kingdom of light.

The commandments are a lamp for your feet, and His teaching, a light on your path. To instantiate this verity, Proverbs 6:23 averred, "For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life" (ESV). Got it?

By holding on to the truths revealed in Christ's commandments and teaching, we can face life's challenges in a victorious manner, stand firm in the day of trial, and stay faithful to God. If not, we have believed the glorious gospel in vain. And unless we keep the faith of the gospel by consistent response to Christ's teaching and commands, we cannot have a personal encounter with His manifest presence that will keep producing the testimony of His infinite love in our lives.

Beloved, Christ's commandments and teaching are not to be neglected, but should be fired up and activated in our lives by alacritous cogitation, continual prayer, constant study of the Word with ardent alacrity, and frequent application of the precious promises and principles embedded in them. Stay tuned for part 4. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Joshua 1:7-8; John 15:10-14; Acts 5:29; Revelation 14:12.

Exuberant Declaration:

I have been enabled by God's grace to function according to the dictates of Christ's commandments and divine teaching which position me to abide and rest in His love. Blessed be God!