John 12:1-11
Mary Anoints Jesus’ Feet
John 12:12-19
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem
John 12:20-26
Some Greeks Seek Jesus
John 12:27-36
Jesus Predicts His Death
John 12:37-50
Hardened Hearts and the Fear of Man
John 13:1-11
Humbleness, Holiness and Happiness
John 13:12-20
Happiness Comes by Serving Others
John 13:21-30
Jesus Prediction of His Betrayal
John 13:31-38
Christ’s Farewell Sermon to His Disciples
John 14:1-12
Jesus Encourages the Troubled Disciples
John 14:13-14
The Measure, Means, and Might of Prayer
John 14:15-24
The Holy Spirit’s Dwelling in Believers
John 14:25-31
The Disciple’s Question
John 15:1-11
The Pruning Process
John 15:12-17
The Commandment to Love One Another
John 15:18-27
Why the World Hates Christians
John 16:1-11
The Work of the Holy Spirit
John 16:12-24
The Transformation of Pain to Joy
John 16:25-33
Understanding God’s Word and Applying It
John 17:1-8
Jesus’ Prayer For His Glorification
John 17:9-19
Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples
John 17:20-26
Jesus’ Prayer for Unity of Believers
John 18:1-14
Jesus’ Betrayal by Judas
John 18:15-27
Trial Before Annas
The Commandment to Love One Another
John 15:12–17
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However, because God loves us He “prunes” us and encourages us to bear more fruit for His glory. The more we abide in Christ, the more fruit we’ll bear, and the more fruit produced then the more the Father prunes us so that the quality keeps up with the quantity. We are motivated by Jesus’ love and Jesus had great joy in pleasing His Father. One primary command Jesus gave to believers was that they must have love for each other (v. 17). Love one another is a command, not an option. Christians will grow by caring and nurturing one another. Christian love is not basically a feeling. It is an act of the will. The proof of our love is not in our feelings but in our actions. Oswald Sanders once stated, “We are as close to God as we choose to be. If we are His friend, we ought to be near His throne, listening to His Word, enjoying His intimacy, and obeying His commandments.”
Application
Is there someone whom I can show that I love and care about? Is there a shut-in whom I could visit or a missionary I could write to? Jesus says, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
John 15:12-17 (English Standard Version)
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another."
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