Service is live: Watch Now

The One Year New Testament

September 25

John 15:12-17

John 15:12-17

12 “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, for the servant 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.

Reflection

Jesus defines the life of abiding (John 15:1–11) as a life of love (vv. 12–17). This love begins with Christ’s love for us —“I have loved you” (v. 12). We cannot earn Jesus’ love; it is given freely and generously by the God of grace. This same gracious love is now our responsibility to others—“you love one another” (v. 12). We must remember, however, that our obedience to this command merits nothing, even though it brings great good to the world. Because we are motivated by Christ’s amazing grace, his commands are not burdensome. The radical grace of the gospel transforms servanthood into friendship (v. 15). Only grace can free us to obey Jesus out of friendship and worship, and no longer out of fear or self-interest.

James 1:12-18

James 1:12-18

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Reflection

God intends trials to strengthen us, but some say trials tempt them to sin, and they blame God for it. But temptation only entices us when we desire the sin (James 1:13–15). Rather than tempting us, God wants to give good gifts to us, one of them being new birth by “the word of truth”—that is, the gospel (v. 18; cf. Eph. 1:13; Col. 1:5–6). God does not cause us to sin; he rescues us from the power of sin by transforming us into newly born creatures through the message of his grace to us in Christ (James 1:18). Rather than being ruled by our desire for sin (vv. 14–15), those who have experienced this new birth can resist the power of sin because of a new, superior desire for Jesus and his glory (Rom. 6:17; 2 Cor. 4:6).

Psalm 119:35

Psalm 119:35

35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.

Thoughts For Prayer

When the Holy Spirit changes our hearts, the commandments of Christ become a delight. Pray that Christ’s commands and ways would be increasingly beautiful to you and your church fellowship.

Missions Prayer Requests More

  • May 9, 2025

    Supported Workers: Parkside Green

    Country: United States of America

    Pray for the Lord to work in the lives of those who were part of the Holy Week gatherings last month so that they will become committed followers of Jesus Christ. Also, pray that God will be honored, and people will be blessed by the baptisms on Mother’s Day. Lastly, please join them in asking the Lord to work through their global partners: Dr. Jen Kintner in Dubai, UAE; Brett and Jennifer Wright in Arua, Uganda; and Bryan and Erin Joseph, studying Spanish at the Rio Grande Bible Institute and Language School before serving in Mexico.

    United States of America (North America). Population: 347,275,808 Believers: 28.9%. The church in the USA is as deeply divided as the nation itself. The USA’s spiritual heritage has long been under attack by those opposed to the gospel, but no external enemies have done more damage than the politicization of Christianity and accompanying polarization in the body. The idol of nationalism— “Christian” or otherwise—is a blight on the message of the gospel, as is any ideology that divides or distracts believers from their core identity as the body of Christ. Pray for the Lord to raise up believers who will fearlessly and publicly place their oneness in Christ above all race, ethnicity, gender, and ideology! Everything else must be placed at the nailed-pierced feet of Jesus on the throne. May such faithful saints be an inspiration to others and a healing salve on America’s wounds. From Operation World DVD-ROM 2010 and www.operationworld.org

The One Year New Testament Copyright Tyndale House Publishers, used by Permission. NIV Bible copyright International Bible Society.