The topic of love is one that is sure to draw attention. Just listen to any radio station and you will hear many songs about love – “Just an Old-Fashioned Love Song,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” The list goes on, and on it goes.
And yes, I know the songs I have chosen date me. But that’s OK.
We sing songs about love, we write poems about love, we dream about love, and we all want to be loved.
But the fact is that so many people do not know what true love involves. We think we do, but our actions and words betray us.
I recently preached a sermon on this topic from John 15, in which Jesus was teaching His disciples about this very idea.
Perhaps the most famous verse in that chapter on love is where the Lord said, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.” And Jesus showed that very love when He gave His life on the cross for you and me.
But throughout that chapter the Lord taught us some important things about the topic of love.
One thing He said that stands out to me is in verse nine: “Now remain in my love.” This could be translated, “Abide in my love.”
I believe that phrase applies very clearly to us in our day and age. We need to hear this message loudly and clearly.
To love someone is to want to spend time with them. Jesus loved His followers, and He wanted them to love Him. So He said, “Abide with me.”
He was telling them to stay with Him, spend time with Him, and enjoy His presence. How we need to hear that message today.
What would you think, if at the wedding reception, you asked the bride, “Where are you going for your honeymoon?” and she responded, “Well, I’m going to the beach, but he’s going to the mountains?” You would probably be thinking, “And this marriage is going nowhere – fast.”
Of course a couple is going together on their honeymoon. They want to spend time together. And in the same way, followers of Jesus should want to spend time with Him.
We should attend church regularly. We should pray and read the Bible. We should seek to be in God’s presence. He loves us. We love Him.
We need to spend time with Him. That is a characteristic of true love.
I want to encourage you to spend time with the Lord. That is one way you show Him your love. Time spent with God is time well spent.
And yes, I know the songs I have chosen date me. But that’s OK.
We sing songs about love, we write poems about love, we dream about love, and we all want to be loved.
But the fact is that so many people do not know what true love involves. We think we do, but our actions and words betray us.
I recently preached a sermon on this topic from John 15, in which Jesus was teaching His disciples about this very idea.
Perhaps the most famous verse in that chapter on love is where the Lord said, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.” And Jesus showed that very love when He gave His life on the cross for you and me.
But throughout that chapter the Lord taught us some important things about the topic of love.
One thing He said that stands out to me is in verse nine: “Now remain in my love.” This could be translated, “Abide in my love.”
I believe that phrase applies very clearly to us in our day and age. We need to hear this message loudly and clearly.
To love someone is to want to spend time with them. Jesus loved His followers, and He wanted them to love Him. So He said, “Abide with me.”
He was telling them to stay with Him, spend time with Him, and enjoy His presence. How we need to hear that message today.
What would you think, if at the wedding reception, you asked the bride, “Where are you going for your honeymoon?” and she responded, “Well, I’m going to the beach, but he’s going to the mountains?” You would probably be thinking, “And this marriage is going nowhere – fast.”
Of course a couple is going together on their honeymoon. They want to spend time together. And in the same way, followers of Jesus should want to spend time with Him.
We should attend church regularly. We should pray and read the Bible. We should seek to be in God’s presence. He loves us. We love Him.
We need to spend time with Him. That is a characteristic of true love.
I want to encourage you to spend time with the Lord. That is one way you show Him your love. Time spent with God is time well spent.