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“You remain in my love if you continue to observe my commandments,1 even as I have observed my Father’s commandments and continue to remain in Him.”2
| 1 | If you continue to observe my commandments: This love is conditioned on obedience to the Nazarene commandments. See the work Nazarene Commandments 2000© and the 60 commands of Jesus Christ. Compare John 15:14. |
| 2 | Even as I have observed my Father’s commandments and continue to remain in Him: The Son’s own relationship with his Father is condition on his own obedience to His commandments. Compare notes on John 8:29. [Hebrews 5:8, 9] |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose John 15:10 as the theme verse of chapter fifteen – The True Vine and Love’s Fruitage. Jesus now exhorts his apostles to bear fruitage and remain in the Vine. [1-10] They must remain in the Nazarene’s Sayings. In part this fruitage is that of a self-surrendering love. [11-16] Christ’s “friends” are identified by their obedience to his commandments. Though the world may hate Christians, Jesus will send a new Helper. [15-27] The disciples should be no part of the world.
Abba our Father bless the “friends” of Christ.
[13 December 2002]
He abode in the love of the Father by a life of perfect obedience. So we must abide in his love.
