I have been feeling a little “down” lately, with the passing of my best canine friend ever, Pal. I really do not know how to express this relationship, but we genuinely loved one another; of that I am absolutely convinced. In addition to Pal, I have loved my wife of 54 years, Linda. Our love is best described as “complex”, but, it endures. When Pal died, we cried as one. Beyond this, I have many friends and those of you who are my friends know it- because I have told you that you are. For my fellow followers of Christ who I have not told; I am telling you now – I love you. As flawed as I am, I do love you with all the Agape love that I can understand and practice.
Yet, I have a friend that I have never even seen and without a doubt, I KNOW that HE is my friend, because he died for my sins. His name is Jesus and our friendship is unlike any other that I have ever known. You see, HE loves me in-spite of every thing I have every thought, said or done. He forgives me of every sin when I truly repent and will be at my side in the final judgment.
Jesus said:
John 15 ( World English Bible )
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.
2 Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.
5 I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.
8 “In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples.
9 Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.
11 I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
14 You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.
If I will listen and do what he commands me to do, I have his promise that he will love me and be my friend. This has given me great comfort of late and will continue for the rest of my life, if I remain faithful.
If you don’t know Jesus, now, now is the time to become his friend and be blessed for it! Do it now, you will never be sorry, ever!
Your friend,
Gary