Introduction

Good morning, dear family of God. It is indeed a blessing to gather here, in this sacred space, to reflect upon the Word of God, to be nourished by its wisdom, and to find our hearts stirred by its profound truths. We are not here by accident, but by divine appointment, brought together to grow in faith, to deepen our understanding, and to be transformed by the power of God's Word.

We are about to embark on a spiritual expedition through the pages of Scripture, specifically Psalm 1, 1 John 5:9-13, and John 17:6-19. These passages, rich with divine wisdom, illuminate the manifestation of mutual love, the mystery of mutual abiding, and the mission of the Spirit.

But before we immerse ourselves in these verses, I am reminded of a quote from the eminent Christian author, Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible." Today, we are not merely visiting, but living in the Bible, allowing it to shape our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions.

Let's read together the passages for today. Psalm 1:1-2: "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night."

1 John 5:9-13: "We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

John 17:6-19: "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one."

Manifestation of Mutual Love

In the verses we've read, there's a clear depiction of a relationship characterized by deep affection and respect. This is not just any relationship, but one that exists between God and His people. It's a relationship that is marked by a mutual exchange of love.

When we look at Psalm 1, we see the blessed man who finds his joy in the law of the Lord. He doesn't just read it or recite it, but he meditates on it, day and night. This is a man who loves God's Word, who finds delight in it. This is a man who loves God, and his love is evident in his actions and his attitudes.

But this love is not one-sided. God, in His infinite love, has given us His Word, His law, as a guide for our lives. He has given us His Son, Jesus Christ, as a testimony of His love for us. In 1 John 5:9-13, we see that God's testimony is greater than any human testimony. His testimony is the gift of eternal life through His Son. This is God's love manifested to us.

In John 17:6-19, Jesus prays for His disciples, those whom God has given Him. He prays for their protection and their unity. He prays for them with a heart full of love. This is the love of Jesus, a love that is willing to lay down His life for His friends.

In these passages, we see a beautiful picture of mutual love. We see a love that is not self-seeking, but self-giving. A love that is not demanding, but serving. A love that is not conditional, but unconditional.

This mutual love is not just about feelings, but about actions. It's about making choices that reflect our love for God and His love for us. This has impact on our relationships with others. As we love God, we are called to love others. As we experience God's love, we are called to share that love with others.

This mutual love is not just for the here and now, but for eternity. God's love for us is eternal, and our love for Him should be the same. As we live in this love, we experience a foretaste of the eternal life that God has promised us.