4. A STAYING LOVE

The next sign of a usable person is A STAYING LOVE. The teaching of Jesus in John 15:9 states,

John 15:9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love"

4.1. GOD'S USABLE PEOPLE ABIDE IN HIS LOVE

To abide means that the heart is constantly occupied with the Lord. Far from being an occasional emotion, it is a sustained way of life. It is living in the consciousness of His love, ever mindful of His sacrificial, poured out life. It is recognizing with deep appreciation the efficacy of His precious blood. Abiding in His love means living in the joy of acceptance, and this brings fulfillment and satisfaction in service.

This STAYING or remaining in His love, is maintained by an attitude of total dependence on Him, lovingly acknowledging that without Him you can do nothing (John 15:5 ). Just as the vine is a helpless, creeping, clinging thing, unable to stand alone, dependent on support to be held up, so those who are consciously remaining in His love, find their support and resources in Him. His love supplies everything that is needed for a fruitful, God-glorifying life.

This dwelling in His love produces useful people. In fact, by remaining in His love these people are tapped into a supply that can make them give service beyond natural gifting. The one who is sustaining himself in His love is able to go beyond the limited to the unlimited. The love of Jesus provides not only motivation, it imparts ability and strength to do what would otherwise not be possible. Again, the vine beautifully illustrates this truth: the branch cannot of itself produce fruit. It is simply a conduit through which the life producing juices flow. It is the vine that produces fruit, the branch simply bears the fruit. Christ Himself, by His Holy Spirit, makes believers who abide in His love, fruit bearers.

When having to choose someone to do an important task in the body, let it be someone abiding in His love. Such will succeed.

4.2. GOD'S USABLE PEOPLE DEVELOP THROUGH FATHER LOVE

John 15:9 "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you. "

Seeing how Jesus loved, reveals how the Father loves. Those who stay in His love are built up, and become strong and usable. It is profitable to trace the characteristics of the Father's love bestowed on the disciples by Jesus.

The Father so loved that He gave. (John 3:16 ). Jesus loved as the Father and gave to the uttermost, giving His very life. There is no greater love than that. (John 15:13 ). Staying in that kind of love produces wholehearted givers of time, talents and treasure.

The Father desired in love, the friendship of men:

• In the garden of Eden He delighted to walk with Adam in the cool of the day.

Genesis 3:8 "And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day."

• He loved the friendship of Enoch - and took him to be with Him.

Genesis 5:24 "And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him."

• Abraham was honoured by the friendship of God, and God acknowledged it.

Isaiah 41:8 "But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend."

• James 2:23 also tells us that Abraham "was called the friend of God".

• The disciples gladly recognized themselves as servants of the Lord Jesus. He brought them in love, into the relationship of friends (John 15:14, 15 ).

Friendship means being brought into the counsel and plans of the Master. In chapters 14,15 and 16 of John's gospel, the Lord is sharing with His friends, plans and wishes and wants in friendship. He shared with them the reason for His coming; His leaving them; His resurrection; the ministry of the Holy Spirit; His purposes for them to be fruitful, and the secrets of fruitfulness.

Father love never keeps His sons and daughters in the dark. He gives reasons and intimate explanations for His commands. He puts great value upon His friendship with them. In friendship the Lord Jesus makes all things known. Those involved in such friendship with Jesus will be successful in establishing rich friendships with others. They are people in whom you will observe the following:

• They get to know people, not just to use them but to know them.
• They don't only give information, they share their excitement.
• They do not merely instruct, they reveal their hearts.
• They do not pretend friendliness, they offer true friendship.
• They visit not for business alone, but to enjoy companionship.
• Theirs is not partial involvement. It is involvement of their lives.

Remaining in the love of Jesus produces such people.