Jesus continues his dialogue with his disciples with the phrase “I am the true vine…” (John 15:1). This phrase is a continuation and the final of seven “I am” statement found in the book of John. For example, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (6:35), “I am the light of the world” (8:12), “I am the gate” (10:9), “I am the good shepherd” (10:12), “I am the resurrection and the life” (11:15-26), “I am the way, the truth and the life” (14:16), and finally, “I am the vine.” Each of the “I am” statements draw the Jewish audience to their foundation with God because when Moses asked, “What is your name God? He said, “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14). John’s overall purpose in the “I am” statements is to point to Jesus being God in the flesh. Similarly, …show more content…
This is the height or center focus of his message in this very passage. For instance, he speaks of the kind of love he intends to show his followers through the cross when he says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (v 13). Also, Jesus states that he loves his followers with the same love that the Father has for him (v 9). In response, Barns says, “So have I loved you. Not to the same degree, for this was impossible, but with the same kind of love—deep, tender, unchanging; love prompting to self-denials, toils, and sacrifices to secure their welfare.” The question remains as to how much God loves his followers: is it the same as he love Jesus or less? Yet, Barnes point is correct; nevertheless, it is the same kind of love that Jesus has for his followers. In this light, Jesus draws the connection between love and obedience. That true love will obey Jesus’ commands (v 10). This obedience even has a promise attached to it in verse 16, to which St. Augustine says, “He will certainly give us if we love one another; seeing that this very thing He has also given us, in choosing us when we had no fruit, because we had chosen Him not; and appointing us that we should bring forth fruit, that is, that we should love one another,—a fruit that we cannot have apart from Him, just as the branches can do nothing apart from the vine.” (Augustine). Finally, Jesus stresses that his love is to flow out of his followers in the way in which they love one another. Twice he gives the command to love each other (v 12 and 17). This is the essence of his message to his followers in this moment; that they would love as they have been loved; all of which is connected back to Jesus’ great commandment to love God and love your neighbor (Matthew
Solle explains that a “[r]eal encounter in love can only take place in mutuality, not in an asymmetrical relationship of dependence…we know God only if we also know how much God needs us” (184). Love requires mutuality and vulnerability; it requires letting oneself be known. If God is love, then God must allow God’s self to be known. Solle argues that God allows God’s self to be known most clearly in the relational, non-coercive and pacifistic nature of Jesus. She states “The only capital with which [Jesus] came into the world was his love, and it was as powerless and as powerful as love is. He had nothing but his love with which to win our hearts” (187). Solle explains that we know God needs us because God reveals God’s desire for relationship in Jesus and reveals God’s vulnerability in the
What is Christianity and why has it been able to develop into a continuously growing and evolving religion?
The rise of Christianity in western civilization is arguably among the most important memories in history. There is no denying what the spread of Christianity has done for the world, for better or worse. Its impact on western civilizations is unrivaled and unprecedented. Christianity slowly became something for many individuals to turn to; in times of hurt its provided comfort, in times of pleasure it has given thanks. The will and belief for salvation has driven individuals to be better, and to have a reference while in need. The rise of Christianity more than 2000 years ago provided necessary building blocks for the future. Without Christianity there would be no cathedrals, no monasteries, no music from one Johann Sebastian Bach, no paintings from Michelangelo, nor no philosophy from Saint Augustine (Backman 205). There are countless times in history, whether good or bad, that can be credited to
...Today as a Christ follower, we will never be satisfied if our life is not bearing lasting fruit because we are not fulfilling the purpose for which we were “grafted “into the Vine. Let’s examine the “fruit” of our lives. Is it the kind of fruit that reveals the character of Christ? Let’s not settle for fruitless Christianity. God will do the work of making us fruitful – we must only abide, surrendering our lives to His mission of making disciples of all nations through us. The whole notion of mission is to stretch out to work the work of evangelism not through hierarchy, sovereignty, rather through humbleness, hospitality, affection love for the others. That is what Jesus who portrayed as the one who we do not deserve to untie His sandals straps in the first Chapter of John, later become feet washer, intimate with humanity leaving His equality with God.
He demonstrated His love even when we did not love Him, by first loving us. The LORD demonstrated His love when Jesus came into the world to seek and save the lost. He paid the definitive sacrifice for those He loved. Equally, we are to love sacrificially. It transcends family and encompasses the beloved community.
Q. Describe when and how you became a Christian. A. Although I grew up as a Christian from the beginning of my life, I might be able to confess that I became a true believer through my father absence. His last few months made me see that God gave solid faith to my father, and God is working because my father never gave up his faith even while losing his mind due to a maintenance drug to reduce pains. However, after his death, I could not overcome the state feeling emptiness not because my father is absent but because man’s life in this world seemed to be meaningless before death. Through my father, I could believe that there is God doubtlessly, but I could not find the purpose of creation and meaning of this life.
Jesus Christ lived a sinless life even up to his death by crucifixion. Far from being a way of appeasing a wrathful God for the sins of Mankind the Crucifixion is really an example of God's love toward us. Consider Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.". At first this seems slightly strange: how was God's love manifested towards us through the Crucifixion?
The following essay will evaluate the importance of the journey that takes place from Systematic to Practical theology; this view will be explored through Ronelle Sonnenberg’s research done regarding ‘being together’ in a youth setting. This essay will first build on the basis of Practical Theology; furthermore addressing the importance of the community aspect within a youth setting; this will lead to the process that takes place between a Systematic stance, leading to a Practical theological stance.
Every Sunday. Stares and disappointment. I sat with my grandmother at this big church. People would stare when they realized I didn't know the prayers or songs. I was trying to learn more about religion why did I feel so scared? Am I going to find where I belong? Will I have enough time? These are questions I sometimes have to ask myself. When I was little I explored many religions but now that i'm older I am frightened about faith.
A philosophy of Christian education encompasses many aspects that overlap areas of a child 's life that could not be nurtured and molded in a public school setting. Therefore, the Christian philosophy of education must include so much more. The Bible must be used as the basis for the education of children. A child should be taught in a way that will best benefit the individual that God created. He should be trained in his own way, the way he learns best. In order to do that, teachers must be able to assess their students in a manner that will reveal the learning styles that best fit each child. By doing this, the best possible education can be given to each student. Proverbs 22:6 states, "Train up a child in the way he should go..." The ways
Jesus Christ was the light that came to earth to brighten the lives of the people. He taught phenomenal and meaningful lessons that changed many hearts and caused people to accept Jesus as their Lord. Jesus Christ is the life of Christianity; the Word of God in flesh. His life, his ministry, and his crucifixion where prophesied long before he was born and Christians believe that they were all fulfilled. He had so much love for human kind that he came to earth to die for the sins of the people, so that their souls would be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The Bible testifies that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who taught memorable life lessons and performed astonishing miracles during his ministry.
Humans experience three types of love in their lives: eros, philos, and agape. Eros love is conditional, like the love we experience for our favorite foods or TV shows. Philos love is conditional still, but deeper; the love we experience with our friends and family is philos. Agape love unconditional and everlasting; agape love is the love that devours. Humans cannot exhibit agape love for anything or anyone, but rather, only God can. God shows us agape love through Jesus’ crucifixion for our redemption. By sacrificing His one and only Son, God has freed humanity from sin. What about those that still sin? Does God truly love everyone with such unconditionality, or is His agape love reserved for an elite few? God’s love is indeed for everyone,
It may seem a little bit strange, but my favorite place in town in none other than this beautiful Evangelic Church. However, it wasn’t always so.
All over the world, many people practice a religion of their choice. With any religion people participate in many rituals that show their commitment to their religion. Amongst the five major religions of the world, which are Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, they are all significant to what people believe in. Each of them include rituals, places of worship, a God or Gods, and so much more. The five major religions of the world each have key characteristics that highlight both their similarities and differences.
Christianity is pretty simple its all about one life, the life of Jesus the Son of God. The christian life is a life that consists of following Jesus, all you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ and give your life to him. Becoming a christian offers eternal life after earth, it gives you greater ethics, support through out life, and a life after death. Becoming a christian relies on constant progression, its not enough to be a christian in name you have to live the Christian lifestyle. As a christian you will learn to strive for better morals. Your goals as christian need to be how do I become a better Christian and be more like God.