Know, Grow, Show. Reflections From John 15Намуна

DAY 16 : Consequence of Love.

Verse 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

Verses 16 and 17 wraps up this topic on love. Jesus is summarizing what he said. Before our story started, He had a plan for our lives, he wanted us to be productive and he reminds us of the privileges we enjoy because of being with Him.

What is this fruit that Jesus is after?

Intrinsically linked to our fruitfulness is our loving one another. Jesus deliberately intertwines the vine and branches. I think if we stop to reflect upon our lives and our experience of the church you will agree that one of the toughest things we have had to deal with is relationships.This has been the most challenging area in my faith journey and the reason I have stayed in the mediation of this chapter for more than 2 years. We get disappointed, hurt, offended, ill-treated, abused, and cheated. Yes, this happens amongst Christians.

So how do we cope, what do we do?

Most of us stumble on this thing called love. Very few people have left a church because of doctrinal differences but many have left because of hurt and unresolved issues. Too many church splits have happened because people have not practiced putting love first. 

This is where we would stumble and Jesus knew this. Many of us make the mistake of measuring Christianity by how it is lived around us. This is unhelpful. Our standard of truth is the Word of God. Do not judge the church based on how people live because you are also a part of it and her imperfections.

Look at God’s word and see how it asks you to respond in the face of conflict, disagreements, hurt, and injustice.

Sometimes I feel we Christians put a very heavy yoke on each other – that of perfection. We expect everyone to treat us right while we give ourselves such a wide margin that we are off the page!

You see this as a recurring theme even through the epistles. Paul is constantly asking believers to live in love and unity.

When this happens, we will bear lasting fruit (verse 16). We can have many kinds of fruit in our lives. Jesus is looking for one particular kind – the lasting kind. 

REFLECT AND ASK YOURSELF|

Have you been challenged in the area of loving people? How did you handle it? Is there anything you would do differently as a result of today's reflection?

How do you react when someone does not agree with you?

Get in touch with anyone you may have an unresolved issue and approach the person with love and the willingness to understand rather than defend your position.