Greater Love Hath No Man

Jesus gives us the greatest example of love in this chapter. Christ outlines commands for followers and the result of obedience is six tremendous promises!

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

…  Jesus clearly illustrates that in Him we will yield abundant fruit. That it will be evident in our lives. He also states that outside of Him we will have vain outcomes in our lives. Any accomplishments outside of Christ will be temporal at best.

John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

…  We will all die and this body will go back to the earth from whence it came (Genesis 3:19) but no man is meant to experience the second death (Revelation 20:14-15). The second death is the death of the spirit when those that are not attached to the Vine, Jesus will spend eternity in hell. Good works or being a nice person are not enough but it is simple as confessing with your mouth Lord Jesus and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved (Romans 10:9-10)!

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

…  God is glorified when the followers of Christ display the fruit of the Spirit to the world.

John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

…  Jesus commands us to love others. Not just those that are easy to love but all men and women (Matthew 5:43-48)!

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Six promises to the obedient believer: v.5 you will bring forth much fruit; v.7 you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you; v.8 you will glorify God with your life; v.10 you shall remain in the love of Jesus; v.11 The joy of Christ will remain in you; v.11 Your joy will be full.