These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (John 15:11)
When we hear a leader give a pitch for something that sounds too good to be true, a question that often comes to mind is, “What’s their angle?” We are naturally skeptical about things that sound too good to be true and become conditioned to seek the true motivation behind the grand plans. When Jesus spoke to His disciples about the call of abiding in Him, He gave His grand vision for more than a salvation moment but a life of dependency and relationship with God. In His plan, we remain in His love and abide with Him in our everyday lives. In case we became skeptical of the motivation, Jesus made his reasoning clear in this verse. He told us it is so that we can take part in His joy, and not only have some of it, but have it to the full!
Abiding in Jesus and walking in His love is not just something we do begrudgingly or suspiciously as followers but something we get to do joyfully. It is not a task that will suck the life out of us but rather something that continuously keeps us connected to the Source of life. We can often think about life with God as a checklist of things we have to do to please Him, but Jesus is clear, true life is found in resting and remaining in Him. The offer is as good as it sounds.
- What does it look like to abide in Jesus? What parts of that seem too good to be true to you?
- How does knowing Jesus’ desire for joy in our lives as a reason for abiding change how you listen and follow Him?
- Pray and ask God to help you fully abide in Him and see the joy that He talks about.
