Remain in Love?

What does that look like, actually?

I’m not sure I’ve ever just chosen one verse for this daily reading, but something hit me as I read it this morning. So here it is.

God loves you.
Jesus loves you.
Stay in his love.

Of course, in context, Jesus is speaking to the apostles. They were his first disciples. And you are now his disciple, so feel free to - in a way - read it for yourself.

The father loves you.
I love you.
Don’t leave this love.

John Wesley gave what he called “general rules” for those who were a part of Methodism in 1743. Later, Methodist Bishop Reuben Job summarized them:

1. Do no harm.

2. Do good.

3. Stay in love with God.

If you have to boil it down so simply, this is not a bad way to do it. But Wesley in particularly defined the third - Stay in love with God - through the things of actual practices, six of them to be exact: the public worship of God, the ministry of the Word (either read or preached), the Lord’s Supper, family & private prayer, searching the Scriptures, and fasting or abstinence.

This takes “staying in love with God” well beyond good feelings and thoughts, doesn’t it. What do you think? What does it mean to stay in love with God?

John 15:9

As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love.

Psalm 36:5-9

Lord, your faithful love extends to the skies;
your faithfulness reaches the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the strongest mountains;
your justice is like the deepest sea.
Lord, you save both humans and animals.
Your faithful love is priceless, God!
Humanity finds refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the bounty of your house;
you let them drink from your river of pure joy.
Because with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

Prayer¹

God,

I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for you or laid aside for you,
exalted for you or brought low for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.

And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
you are mine, and I am yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.

1. Adapted from John Wesley’s covenant prayer.