John 15:14 "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you."

The Father told the Son all things. The Son declared to His disciples all things He heard from the Father. Those who abide in the love of Jesus have the mind of God revealed to them. This distinguishes the usable people of God from the crowd of followers. Nothing was kept back from his disciples.

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain..."

Father love sees and plans a purposeful life for His children. Jesus, loving as the Father, chooses and appoints to fruitfulness that will remain. Abiding, therefore, in the love of Jesus, brings forth people of purpose, chosen to go and bear fruit, durable and Father-glorifying. Abiding in His love makes responsible people, fulfilling the commission entrusted, going and bearing. It is interesting that this appointment is not fulfilled by just going, but by "bearing" quality fruit.

John 15:16 "...that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give you."

Staying in the love of Jesus makes available to us all the resources of the Father's provision. We have full acceptance at the throne of God: "accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6 ). The "whatever" we ask, for further fruitfulness and victorious witness and life, the Father makes readily available by the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus, by which we stand prevailingly before Him. God's usable people, remaining in the love of Jesus are recognized by the incredible answers to prayer which they receive.

4.3. GOD'S USABLE PEOPLE ABIDE IN UNCHANGING LOVE

The love of Jesus is so wonderful, because His love, like Himself, is,

Hebrews 13:8 "...the same yesterday, today, and forever."

He is declared to be unchangeable. What encouragement to stay in the love of Jesus. There is nothing fickle, or vacillating about Him or His love. Neither is there any change of plan or affection. He does not help today and tomorrow forsake us in our need. His plans and wishes formed yesterday will not be abandoned today. His love shown to us today will be just as consistent tomorrow and forever. He is truly God our Saviour.

Those who stay in His unchanging love experience the changing of their affections. They become so affected by his love, that from them pours forth spontaneous love to others. Abiding in His unchanging love motivates our wills, so that living becomes controlled by the love of Jesus, making it a channel of amazing blessing to the body, the church, and the community at large.

Staying in the sustaining, unchanging reservoir of the love of Jesus is living the life that is like that of the desert palm that flourishes in the desert. It has a hidden secret. Its taproot goes right down into the hidden water supply. So also is the believer who is "rooted and grounded in love". This is seen to be so by the love of Jesus in him towards his brothers and the lost.

Being a consistent channel of His love, is the consequence of abiding, and clearly identifies those who are usable.

4.4. SUMMARY OF THE IDENTIFYING MARKS OF THOSE WHO ARE USABLE BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN THE LOVE OF JESUS

• Their hearts are taken up with Jesus.
• Their lives are given over to fruit bearing.
• Their lives become the channel of the Father's love as expressed by Jesus.
• They are a giving people.
• They enjoy friendship with God and man.
• They know a flow in the purposes of God.
• They are consistent in their love.

They are all this because they are staying in and drawing upon the love of Jesus.