New Believer's Bible Sample - Flipbook - Page 66
J ohn 16
page 1018
Live in God’s love
F I R S T
S T E P S
read JOHN 15:9-11
Do you find it hard to obey God and his principles? If so, it is probably time to reexamine
your priorities and make sure that getting
to know your Creator is right at the top of
the list. Then you will discover the joy that
comes from living in God’s love every day.
In this passage we read part of Jesus’
last message to his disciples before his
death. This intimate message and command from Christ applies to us today, too.
Jesus gives three simple points that will
enable us to live in his love:
1. Realize That You Have the Love of
Jesus. Know that God loves you. Jesus
proved his love for us by laying his life
down for us on the cross ( John 15:13). This
love is not based on your performance but
on his sacrifice for you. God reminds us
that he has loved us “with an everlasting
love” ( Jeremiah 31:3). Scripture reminds us
that nothing will separate us from this love
that God has for us (Romans 8:39).
2. Live within God’s Love by Obeying His
Commands. One of the earmarks of a true
follower of Christ is obedience. It is easy
to boast of our great love for God or the
wonderful affection and devotion we feel
toward him. But the way to prove our love
for Jesus is to obey his commands. Obeying
his commands out of obligation rather than
love can produce resentment. There is no
joy in mere obligation. But obeying Jesus
out of love produces joy.
3. Experience the Reward of Obedience:
Overflowing Joy. An obedient Christian is
a happy Christian. If you want more joy in
your life, make sure that you are following
the guidelines God has given us in his Word.
For the next note on “Obey God” turn to page 1083.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
5 “But now I am going away to the one who
sent me, and not one of you is asking where
I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of
what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for
you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate* won’t come. If I do go away, then I will
send him to you. 8And when he comes, he
will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s
righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in
me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go
to the Father, and you will see me no more.
11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this
world has already been judged.
12 “There is so much more I want to tell you,
but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of
truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.
He will not speak on his own but will tell you
what he has heard. He will tell you about the
future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you
whatever he receives from me. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said,
‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives
from me.’
Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy
a little while you won’t see me anymore.
But a little while after that, you will see me
again.”
17 Some of the disciples asked each other,
“What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little
while you won’t see me, but then you will see
me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? 18And
what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We
don’t understand.”
19
Jesus realized they wanted to ask him
about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while
you won’t see me, but a little while after
that you will see me again. 20 I tell you the
truth, you will weep and mourn over what is
going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like
a woman suffering the pains of labor. When
her child is born, her anguish gives way to
joy because she has brought a new baby into
the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I
will see you again; then you will rejoice, and
no one can rob you of that joy. 23At that time
you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell
you the truth, you will ask the Father directly,
and he will grant your request because you
use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before.
Ask, using my name, and you will receive,
and you will have abundant joy.
25 “I have spoken of these matters in figures
of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the
Father. 26 Then you will ask in my name. I’m
not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you dearly
because you love me and believe that I came
16 “In
16:7 Or Comforter, or Encourager, or Counselor. Greek reads Paraclete.
