All In Commitment

Sometimes simplifying things makes them easier.  But sometimes the opposite is true.

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have 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. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.” - John 15:1,6-16

Jesus gave his disciples, and us, one simple commandment, one that replaces all others because it encompasses them.  He told us to love one another.

Simple, right?

Not so fast.  

When Jesus talks about love, he mentions laying down one's life for one's friends.  That's commitment.

Love is more than a gesture.  It is a responsibility.  To love someone the way Jesus loves us is a big deal.  We may not be up to it.  It may sounds simple, but it is an all in situation.

But if we do love someone fully, like Jesus says, then we could never hurt them or want harm to come to them in any way.

We would not disrespect them, judge them, lie to them, steal from them, or wish them ill.

We would not curse them either.

So, all the commandments are wrapped up in this love we have for each other.  If we are honest about it, love trumps everything.

So, maybe we should give it a try.  Maybe we should set out each day thinking about loving everyone we meet, and when we feel the urge to do or say something that doesn't come from love, we might stop and remind ourselves that we aren't like that.

It's worth a shot.

More to come...