Faith Zone

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 12 June 2024 – The Great Commandment

TOPIC: The Great Commandment

READ: John 15: 12-17 (NKJV)

  1. “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
  2. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
  3. “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
  4. “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
  5. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
  6. “These things I command you, that you love one another.

THE MESSAGE:

Today we commemorate St. Barnabas, the Apostle who demonstrated the love of Christ by welcoming Saul of Tarsus (Paul) into the Church against all odds (Acts 9: 27-29). In our text today, Jesus Christ greatly emphasised the commandment of loving one another which He gave to His disciples. He had told them to love one another as He had loved them (John 15: 12). He also demonstrated this great love by laying down His life for His followers. This commandment stands till eternity because love is the greatest of all commandments.

Beloved, it is through love that people will see the true picture and person of Jesus in us as His followers. Christianity without love becomes a burden and legislative. The true character of love is explained in 1 Corinthians 13. Again, perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4: 18). We are therefore enjoined to demonstrate the characteristics of love in our daily Christian living. Showing godly (agape) love has its own risks, but perfect love casts out fear; it focuses more on the joy it brings. If you truly love others, many things that appear irritating or annoying in their lives will become inconsequential to you. Love brings peace of mind.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to show Your love in all I do for the rest of my life.

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