Selfless Faith

John 15:14-15 in the Amplified Bible reads:

¹⁴You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.

¹⁵I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.]

We are never alone. If you have ever felt that this world has left you out or left you behind because of the fast pace it moves at, remember that Jesus calls us His friend. This is a friendship far greater and far more worthy than any friendship we can ever experience on earth. Never doubt God’s love for us. He tells us exactly how much He loves us in John 3:16. Then Jesus tells us exactly how much He loves us in John 15:9. Then He shows us how much He loves us by dying on the cross. As Jesus said, there is no greater love than someone who would lay down His life for His friends. He laid down His life on the cross for us, and in turn, that makes Him our friend!

John 15:13 from the Amplified Bible reads “No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.”

We have never truly loved someone until Jesus comes into our lives through His Holy Spirit, reformats our mind, body, heart and soul, and teaches us how to truly love another as He loved and continues to love us. We often take the phrase “I love you” for granted, but deep in our hearts, it is only the first part of what we really mean. What we really mean is “I love you up to this point” or “I love you because…(and there are many ways we can finish this statement)” However, with Jesus as our guide, we will love each other because He is love. He instills inside of us unconditional (Agape) love. We understand that we are not perfect to each other, but the love of Jesus is the glue that keeps us together. We can say we love someone, but we will never know how much we do until that love is tested in unforeseen circumstances. Assuredly, the love we possess for one another will truly reveal itself as the love of Christ was revealed on the cross.

Our prayer on love is a simple one, “Lord, teach me how to love as You love me.” As Jesus said to the disciples, whatever you ask in My name to the Father, it shall be given.

One of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard starts with “Everyone needs compassion, love that’s never failing,” and continues with “Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Savior.” This song has truly touched me. So many times, we go through live with an unforgiving heavy heart.

Relationships in families, marriages, friendships and so much more can be ruined with lack of forgiveness. Forgiveness is one of the key elements in life. Being that NOBODY is perfect, when you make a mistake, you expect to be forgiven, so why must you be unforgiving?   After all, Jesus was crucified on a cross to forgive us of our sins so we can live eternally; so how can we not forgive others? Can we really say a person has caused us more pain than the pain Jesus went through for our sins? Continue reading