On our journey to being filled with all the fullness of God there must surely be an increase in desire for the Lord. This produces the question of how this would manifest and express itself in my life. Most assuredly there would be a deeper love for others. I may declare that I am a disciple of Jesus but my life speaks louder than any declaration. John 13:34-35, Jesus teaches us the standard for a true disciple of His: “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another, as I have loved you that you also love one another. BY THIS SHALL ALL MEN KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU HAVE LOVE ONE TO ANOTHER.” So, there we have it – plainly and simply declared, Jesus’ standard for discipleship. Am I His disciple or am I just a “follower“?
Jesus is the embodiment of all the fullness of God, so everything I lack is found in Him.
WHAT GOD DEMANDS, HE SUPPLIES.
When I acknowledge my lack of love, He is able to release His love through me from His inexhaustible supply. When the Lord is teaching me this lesson, He shows me that love is a choice. As I choose to prefer others before self, lay aside my will for theirs, the Holy Spirit comes along side of my choice and releases the life of the Indwelling Christ through me. He cannot resist humility for it is the very nature of Christ. Here I find the well never runs dry. His is an inexhaustible supply of unconditional love and strength. Here is where a demonstration speaks louder than any sermon: “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.”
The apostle, Paul, spoke of an“addiction to the ministry of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 16:14-15 “Let all things be done with love. You know the house of Stephanus……that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” What a glorious addiction! They could not help themselves in regard to loving their brethren. The love of God was so evident in their lives. They had found the joy of surrender, accessed “the secret place”, their lives hidden with Christ, so that His resurrected life flowed through them in love and power.
When we are born again we become a new creation in Christ. The weeds of a self-centred life are replaced by the life of Jesus. However, there are times when our flesh wars with our spirit man and we allow self growing room in our heart once more. Our hearts are fertile ground for God or the devil and it is our responsibility to allow the Holy Spirit free rein to weed the garden of our heart. As we walk humbly with our Saviour, His incorruptible seed will grow to maturity as we allow His fullness to replace our lack. This new life is all about Jesus. There is no room for self glory. John 3:30 declares “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Jesus said, “No man puts new wine into old bottles, else the new wine will burst the bottles…..but new wine must be put into new bottles,” Mark 2:22. The new life of Christ replaces a stony heart with a heart of flesh, His heart. (Ezekiel 36:26). Our hearts can become a sanctuary of His resting place. May the likeness and image of our beloved Saviour, Jesus Christ, be seen in us, to show God’s love to the world.
“By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.“
