Abiding in Jesus’ love is the second proof of discipleship. Love does not originate from us; we are first receivers of His love, in order to love with His love. I love this discipline because I must submit to the love Jesus has for me and learn that nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34, 35
As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep my commandments you abide in My love just as I have kept My father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:9, 10
Imagine the love of God as a continual river of acceptance unending, inseparable from God. God is love. Now imagine God the Son becoming the Son of Man and abiding in His Father’s love by keeping His commandment to be loved. Jesus never moved from being loved by the Father and Father declared publicly at Jesus’ baptism, “You are my beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22 Then, on the Mount of Transfiguration, speaking from the bright cloud of glory overshadowing everyone He says, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” Luke 9:35
God’s love is received by faith in submitting to the truth of God’s word. God’s love is both knowing and believing. “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us, God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16
Jesus did not receive God’s love from the circumstances of life but from the word/command of His Father, “You are My Beloved Son.” He knew and believed the Father’s love and abided in this truth and so He could love us like the Father loved Him. Now we are in this love, the never-ending, inseparable love of God. Abiding here, we love as we are being loved; the circle is never broken.
