Abiding pt. 2

Interesting what one can come up with in a day. The word "Abide" kept popping up today. In my readings, on the web, in conversations wtih others. i am so drawn to this word and it's meaning and what Jesus meant by it to his disciples and to us, he writes:

2 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, [1] for the servant [2] does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Christ gave his life for us. This is how he calls us to love each other. To give our lives for our friends. To be willing to identify in the sacrifice Christ gave us. Abide in my love, Jesus said. He also says that our fruit--the obvious results of an abiding life, should also abide. Ever had fruit that didn't abide? Frut that didn't pass spirutual muster? Perhaps it was works done with an impure motive. Above all, Christ calls the believer to an abiding lifestyle. Day in, day out, we must stay attached to the source of life. Abide.