In the first half of the 15th chapter of John Jesus speaks to the disciples, ending by saying that what he has spoken is so their joy may be full.  What encouragement did Jesus bring? 

• In Ch. 14, the promise of the Holy Spirit as a Helper to bring the knowledge of God to the disciples after Jesus was raised up to be with the Father
• Again, looking to Ch. 14 – The cleansing of sin that comes with faith in the word of the gospel, and the truth of Jesus Christ – God in the flesh reconciling all who would believe on Him to God.
• That if we abide in God, He will abide in us
• If we abide in God, and his words abide in us, we may ask Him for whatever we wish and it will be done for us
• God desires for us to be fruitful
• God the Father’s infinite love for the son, is the same love with which believers are loved by God
• If we keep God’s commandments (Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself), we will abide in God’s love

These things are not merely “guidance” given by Jesus, they are promises that come with power, and authority, that God will do everything that He has said he will do.  What an encouragement it could be during a rough day, to call upon the name of the Lord asking that His grace be extended to you, so that you will not respond to others in frustration, but with the patience and love of Christ – KNOWING that because of John 15:7 you could ask for this, and would receive it, not 80% of the time, but 100% of the time.  What great peace comes from knowing that a God that loves perfectly, infinitely above whatever feeble definition of love man comes up with, dwells within us, and we can never lose Him?  What great understanding comes from knowing that obeying the commandments of God has nothing to do with “cleansing” us, and everything to do with God’s desire for us to be fruitful and joyful in a closer relationship with Him?

How then does God intend for His joy to become our joy in full?  The answer is given in vs 4 when it says to “abide in Him”, in vs 7 when it says that His words “abide in you”, and to “abide in His love” which is to abide in His commandments.  The answer is given in Psalm 1:1-2 – “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

We abide in God by rooting His Word into our heart.  We abide in God when we memorize scripture, and meditate and delight in the promises of God from His Word.  We abide in God when we behold His glory behind the words, to see the beauty of God in the face of Jesus Christ, and delight in Him.  My exhortation today is to that end – root yourself in the Word of God intentionally, daily, to see savor and possess the fullness of joy found in God alone.

John 15 1-11 – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Grace, Peace, and Joy,
Adam