JOHN 15:11.

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! (NLT)

TO PONDER:

Today is the last post of seven for me, which means its difficult to find something new to say in line with the theme of the week. In case my posts have been a bit obtuse and the theme has been lost in my ramblings; the theme this week was “Joy”.

If you were to ask Pastor Mat (and he was honest) he would tell you how much I struggle with writing them and some of that is due to the “suggested” boundaries set by the theme and my proclivity to push against parameters and imposed limits.

Today’s verse, read on it’s own, out of the context of what was said before and what was said after, needs some explanation because I think we all would appreciate overflowing joy, especially during Christmas.

So, what were the “things” Jesus told that will fill us with his joy? 

The thing was simply to obey! Doing what he told us to do will lead to overflowing joy. 

This is the kind of thing “people” dislike about religion; rules, regulations, “thou shalt not” imposed limitations. But that is not what Jesus said, he didn’t leave us with a list of don’ts, he didn’t leave us with a religion of rules and regulations.

This is the command he left us with to obey in verse 12; “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”

Jesus tells us to obey him in love; love God and love others more than you love yourself. 

A command to lay down your life for the sake of others, a limit to choose relationships over religion, a regulation of grace, a rule of love, a demand to love even your enemy, a parameter to forgive quickly and completely. If we do this we will be filled with His joy!

PRAYER: God of love and grace, it all begins and ends with you, you first loved me even when I was your enemy you chose to reach out with your love and grace when you offered me your forgiveness and life, help me share your overflowing joy with everyone around me. Amen

Today's devotion written by Danny Brock, LifeWay Westside.