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John 15:12 - Love As Jesus Loved You.

John 15:12 (NKJV) This is My commandment, 
that you love one another as I have loved you.  

COMMENTARY PEARL

   Those who minister to others will be 
ministered unto by the Chief Shepherd. They themselves 
will drink of the living water, and will be 
satisfied. They will not be longing for exciting 
amusements, or for some change in their lives. The great 
topic of interest will be, how to save the souls 
that are ready to perish. Social intercourse will 
be profitable. The love of the Redeemer will 
draw hearts together in unity. 
   When we realize that we are workers 
together with God, His promises will not be spoken 
with indifference. They will burn in our hearts, 
and kindle upon our lips. To Moses, when called 
to minister to an ignorant, undisciplined, and 
rebellious people, God gave the promise, My presence 
shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 
And He said, Certainly I will be with 
thee. Exodus 33:14; 3:12. This promise is to all 
who labor in Christs stead for His afflicted 
and suffering ones. 
   Love to man is the earthward 
manifestation of the love of God. It was to implant this 
love, to make us children of one family, that the 
King of glory became one with us. And when His 
parting words are fulfilled, Love one another, as 
I have loved you (John 15:12); when we love 
the world as He has loved it, then for us His 
mission is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; 
for we have heaven in our hearts. DA 641 

COMMENTARY

   My friend Leslie has always been able to 
make me laugh. We spent ninety minutes on the 
phone yesterday, sharing the ins and outs of our 
lives, talking about our families, and rehashing 
who liked whom decades ago. In the real world, 
she is a high-powered lawyer. But to me, she is 
my college roommate, kindred spirit, forever 
friend. She texted me after we talked and said, 
"Those ninety minutes were good for my soul." 
Ditto. The thing is, I trust Leslie. I can tell her 
anything, sharing my biggest hopes, my deepest fears, 
and my silliest thoughts. She is a true friend. 
She makes me feel valued and loved. I know that 
she would do anything for me. I would do the 
same for her. That is the kind of friendship we 
have. Love upon love. 
   But the truth is, Jesus is the truest 
friend of all. Being in His presence is good for my 
soul. I trust Him and can tell Him anything. In 
Him, I am valued and loved. And He would do 
anything for me. In fact, Jesus showed His great love 
for me by laying down His life (John 3:16). He 
forgave all my sins and gave me a new way to live (1 
John 1:9). In gratitude, I gave Him my life. That 
is the kind of friendship we have. Love upon 
love. Susanna Foth Aughtmon 
   Faith Step: Ponder your relationship with 
Jesus. As you thank Him for His great love, look 
through a photo album or pictures on your phone and 
remember specific ways Jesus has loved you. [Mornings 
With Jesus 2024 Devotional by Guideposts and 
Zondervan] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

   St. Francis of Assisi had discovered the 
secret of happiness when he prayed:  
      O Divine Master, grant that I may not 
so much seek  
      To be consoled as to console,
      To be understood as to understand,
      To be loved as to love;
      For it is in giving that we receive;
      It is in pardoning that we are 
pardoned; 
      It is in dying that we are born to 
eternal life! 
   Tears shed for self are tears of 
weakness, but tears of love shed for others are a sign 
of strength. I am not as sensitive as I ought 
to be until I am able to "weep o'er the erring 
one and lift up the fallen." And until I have 
learned the value of compassionately sharing others' 
sorrow, distress, and misfortune, I cannot know real 
happiness. 
   The opposite of love isn't hate. It's 
selfishness. Will you ask the Holy Spirit to free your 
life from selfishness and fill you instead with 
His love?  
   Lord, forgive me for the times I have 
chosen self over serve or a grudge over grace.  
Give me a love that sees others as more important 
than myself.  [Hope for Each Day by Billy 
Graham] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

John 15:12 - It's More About Love.

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20221128-0854.html 

John 13:34, 35 - The Distinguishing Mark of 
a Christian. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200831-1501.html 

John 13:34, 35 - The New Command - Love As 
Jesus Did. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170209-1059.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/