John 15:9-11 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue you in my love.… I. LOVE IN ITS BIRTH. Christ loved us first, and this was after the model of the Father's to Him. It was, therefore — 1. A free love. 2. An eternal love. 3. A deep and infinite love. To believe in, and to receive Christ's love, awakens in our hearts reciprocal love to Him. II. LOVE IN ITS CONTINUANCE. The law of continuance in love is obedience: obedience to Christ after the model of His obedience to the Father. 1. What are we to obey? The moral law which is Christ's, and His special evangelical laws. 2. Why? Out of gratitude to Him, as the condition of His continued love to us. 3. How? As Christ obeyed God: cheerfully, heartily, unreservedly, even unto death. Thus will our love be sustained: not otherwise. III. LOVE IN ITS FRUITION. 1. This obedience leads to fruitfulness in doing good to others — which pleases God. 2. It occasions joy to the soul that loves and obeys. Conclusions: 1. How to be happy? By loving Christ. 2. How to foster love to Christ? By diligently doing His commandments. (T. G. Horton.) Parallel Verses KJV: As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.WEB: Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. |
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