Scripture Memory "True Love"

Each Wednesday, I am posting another verse of John 15 (Vine and Branches). I will "recite" what we have learned so far. If you wish to join me in this challenge, you can either email your "recitation" or post it as a comment. (Let me know if you see any mistakes that I miss.)

(without looking at my Bible)
John 15:1-11
1. I am the true vine and my father is the husbandman.
2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away, and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth that it may bring forth more fruit.
3. Now are ye clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
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.
5. I am the vine and ye are the branches; He that abideth in and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing.
6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered, and men gather them together and cast them out and they are burned.
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.
8. Herein is my father glorified, that ye bring forth much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples.
9. As the father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love
10. If ye love me, keep my commandments; so shall ye continue in my love, as I have kept my father's commandments and continue in his love.
11. These things have I spoken unto you, that your joy might remain in you and that your joy may be full.

CORRECTIONS: looked 2 times, vs.6 together ,"into the fire"; vs.8 "bear much fruit", vs.10 "ye shall abide", "even as I", "and abide"; vs.11 "my joy"



NEW VERSE
John 15:12

"This is my commandment
that ye love one another,
as I have loved you."

Jesus has given us a commandment. He just said a few verses back that if we keep his commandments, we will abide in his love-- we will be in a place of constant fellowship.

Our ears should perk up. What did He say? What does He want us to do?

"Love one another"

Lord, you mean give everyone a hug at church, right? or tell the pastor how good the sermon was? or give some money to the local charity at Christmastime?

"as I have loved you"

Oh...that's a lot. That means I need to be patient and kind with those who don't like me, to those that talk about me, to those who take advantage of my time and money, to those tear down my name and reputation, to those who are dirty and smelly and vile, to those who ignore me. Lord, that's hard! I can't do it alone. You have to do it through me.

"This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you."

Lord, teach us to truly love. Amen