John 15:9 I have loved you, even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.
Jesus was speaking to his twelve disciples just before He went to the cross. He already knew Judas would betray Him, that Peter would deny Him and that they would all desert Him when the rubber hit the road and yet He says He loves them in the same way His own Father loved Him!
Then He says'remain' in my love'. Have we ever felt like we've let the Lord down, maybe denied Him by keeping quiet when we should have spoken up, gone wandering off back sliding for a while? If so can I share Jesus's own words with you again? Jesus loves you and He loves me regardless of our mistakes or shortcomings or failures, despite our imperfect performance, despite the times when we feel rubbish because we let Him down again - He still loves you and He still loves me.
He knew how important it was for us to 'remain in His love' because if we don't we'll be condemned and feel guilty all the time, but His blood shed for us paid the price for all of it. His blood cleanses us of all iniquity, every sin, and He has declared us to be righteous in Him because He paid for our sins Himself.
God wants us to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He loves us unconditionally - that's the meaning of grace - we don't deserve it but He gives it to us as a gift to receive.
So if you need His grace (and we all do) then let's receive His love afresh from Him today and declare with the old songwriter 'Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Yes Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.
No matter what happens - remain in His love, keep reminding yourself of it and it will bring you peace. I think I'll just go round muttering under my breath all day 'Jesus loves me'. How about you?
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