Written for the Glory of God by Stephen Warner
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
-John 15:5-13
I learned as a child growing up in a church family that Jesus had paid the cost of my sins through the cross. I often had to be reminded of what that cost really was. I had to be better than what I was pretending to be as I ventured away from my Christian family into new worlds and dangers.
I remembered a verse from John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” That was what I was about to do as a U.S. Army soldier. As I began my military career, I reflected back on that often.
I was prepared and ready to do my part and used the teachings and lessons that God provided me along the way. God led me and he can lead you.
Dear Jesus, I thank You for giving us the promise of eternal life through Your death on the cross, resurrection from the grave, and ascension into heaven. Let me remember that the cost of my sins has already been paid through the cross.
