Gospel – John 13-15
Bible Passage: John 13-15
The author of this book whom many have deduced to be the Apostle John himself, tells us a little more about his relationship with Jesus. He was ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved‘ (John 13:23). How blessed it is for us today if we can say the same of ourselves!
Does God love us?
There was a sermon by bro Vincent some weeks ago on a similar topic. I’d like to share some of his points here with you.
If God loves, us, why does He allow approximately 1500 people to die of cancer each day in the United States alone, with 3400 more newly diagnosed cases? When deadly typhoon Morakot impacted Taiwan last month, 2000 homes were destroyed and the damages amounted to USD 3.3 billion. Where was God when all these were happening? Does God really love us?
If we were to examine the words of God in the Bible, God did not promise us health, nor did he promise wealth from the day we are baptised into His name. He did not promise that Christians will never have to suffer again as long as they believe in Him. God’s promise to Christians is that we will one day enter His eternal rest (Heb 4:1).
To enter into eternal rest (Heb 11:13-16) is not having to struggle with worldly affairs, not having to fight against lusts and pride, not being held captive by sin or suffering, but being able to enjoy being in our Father’s house (John 14:2). Satan knows he will never be able to enter into this eternal rest, hence he wrecks havoc on earth and in the hearts and minds of believers as he attempts to draw us away from our intended course and applauds us as we indulge ourselves in stolen moments of sinful pleasures.
God wants us to humble ourselves and He also wants to test our hearts, to make sure it is right before God when we meet Him on the last day (Deut 8:2) He gives us 60, 70, perhaps 80 or 90 years to train ourselves up to be like Him, so that we will enjoy our eternal lives with Him in heaven. He is moulding, disciplining and testing us, until we become Christ-like (Deut 8:16). Whoever said discipline is not a painful process? God put the Israelites through 40 years in the wilderness to do just that. He allowed them to hunger! (Deut 8:3)
Eternity is a long time to spend with someone. It can either be an eternal bliss or a perpetual disaster. If we are greedy, selfish and lustful, we will not enjoy our time with God who is generous, selfless and pure. Hence the need for rigorous training so we may be humble and know that without God we are nothing (Deut 8:5).
Does God love us?
He gives us the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6), He answers our prayers (John 14:13-14), He gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us at all times (John 14:16-17,26), He gives us a peace which the world cannot give (John 14:27), He is the true vine who gives us a constant supply of nutrients so we will not wither (John 15:3-8), He loves us (John 15:9), He gives us abundant joy (John 15:11), He sacrificed Himself for us (John 15:13), He wants to be our friend (John 15:14-15) and He chose us before we even knew Him (John 15:16).
Hence, God counts each of us as His beloved disciple if we believe in Him and keep His commandments.
Finally, I’ll like to share a song entitled Above All.
God places us – His beloved – above all.
Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature
And all created things
Above all wisdom
And all the ways of man
You were here
Before the world began
Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders
The world has ever known
Above all wealth
And treasures of the earth
There’s no way to measure
What You’re worth
CHORUS:
Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all
Above All – Michael W. Smith
One Comment
PS
This is Lord Jesus’ promise, John 14:13-14:
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
Lord Jesus promises again in John 15:7:
If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
Why then i do not get everything i ask in Lord Jesus’ name?
As i read John 14:13-14, it draws on me that there is a condition. i don’t get everything i ask in Lord Jesus’ name bec whatever i ask for may not gloify the Father. Lord Jesus loves the Father more than me. i accept this condition bec it is right to love the Father more.
In John 15:7 there are 2 conditions before i get my desire done :
(i) i must abide in Lord Jesus. To abide in Lord Jesus, i must keep His words (John 14:23)
(ii) His words must abide in me. Now the Holy Spirit proactively abides in me. Do i actively remember His words in me?
“Keeping” and “remembering” include doing His words.
When i fulfill these 2 conditons, my desires and perspectives will change, closer to the prayer which Lord Jesus taught:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation , but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2)
There is more than one stalk in every branch, God prunes the branch to rid off the empty stalks to let others have more nutrients to bear friuts. When He prunes, the branch feels the pinch. This is discipline.
After the pruning, the branch can truly desire desires which glorfies the Father’s name. And Lord Jesus shall do it. Definitely!!!