The condition of abiding under the power of Christ's love.
I. THE SPHERE AND CONDITION OF UNION. "As the Father hath loved me, I have also loved you: abide in my love."
1. The relation between the Father and the Son is the absolute type of the union between Christ and believers.
2. The love of Christ is the sphere or atmosphere in which the disciple lives. "We love him, because he first loved us."
3. The disciple is under no other condition than that to which the Son is subject with the Father. "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." Our obedience is the proof of our love to Christ, while our love in turn assures our obedience.
II. THE ISSUE OF UNION—JOY. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy' might be in you, and that your joy might be full."
1. The joy of Christ is the joy. of stir-sacrifice, in constant obedience to his Father. This he desires his disciples to enjoy. Thus he guarantees their true blessedness.
2. Their joy will grow in power and depth by their obedience, as they will thus be drawn closer to Christ.
3. The obedience to which they are called is concentrated in brotherly love. "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
(a) It is a new commandment (John 13:34).
(b) It is an old commandment (2 John 1:5).
(c) It commends itself to the moral nature of man.
(d) It is the mainspring of social happiness.
(a) strong,
(b) tender,
(c) patient,
(d) enduring,
(e) self-sacrificing.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
III. INTIMACY OF THE RELATION WHICH CHRIST HAS ESTABLISHED BETWEEN HIMSELF AND HIS DISCIPLES. "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. I no longer call you servants; because the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you."
1. The relation of God to his people under the Law was that of Master and servant. But Jesus establishes a new relation, which heightens the dignity of discipleship.
2. The condition of the new relation was a free, unrestrained confidence between Christ and his disciples respecting the full knowledge of Divine things.
3. This fuller knowledge would of itself enhance the intensity of love.
IV. THE DIVINE CHOICE, WITH ITS BLESSED DESIGN AND EFFECTS. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you."
1. Whether the election is to salvation or apostleship, the ground or cause was not in man. The blessed initiative was taken by Christ.
2. Design of the election. "And appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit." These words imply
3. Encouragement to labor. "That whatsoever ye ask the Father in my Name, he may give it you." A fruitful obedience has its reward in gracious answers to prayer.