Greater Love Has No One Than This

John 15:12-13, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

The Lord has revealed a treasure of insights to us as we've studied the fifteenth chapter of John. One principle that we are reminded of frequently is that what Jesus calls us to do is impossible. It is not merely difficult. It is not simply a struggle. No, our Lord asks us to do the impossible! Remember that in the early part of John 15, Jesus gives us fair warning, "I am the vine, you are the branches, He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

With great clarity, Jesus spells out His instructions to all Christians everywhere concerning their love for each other. He says just what He means, all the while knowing that we will fail to obey His commandment should we refuse to abide.

The good news is that the Lord did not set us up for failure. He has provided a Way* and, furthermore, has openly revealed it to us: Living the Christian life is possible in Christ. Let us remember that abiding in Him is our responsibility, while producing fruit is the Lord's responsibility.

Greater Love

Love is perfected as we abide in Him, and perfect love is powerful. It causes one to risk his own life to save another. "Greater love" is costly because it leads one to sacrifice his own soul for another human being. Of all the noble fruit in the character of a man, there is none greater than love.

1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

Nothing is Impossible

We are dependent on the Lord Jesus for every breath we take, any good work we accomplish, and every right attitude we maintain. We can do nothing apart from Him, but "with God nothing will be impossible," Luke 1:37.


*Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."