At the beach

“Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love, and to be loved, is the greatest happiness of existence,” is a quote by Sydney Smith.

As a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ I know that I am a friend of the Lord Jesus Christ, if I do what he commands.

The Lord says so. He says also that he loves me, and tells me how to love him, how to remain in his love.

I remain in his love by obeying his commands. What is his command?

In John 15:12 the Lord says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” It is significant that he repeats it in John 15:17, “This is my command: Love each other.”

Being loved by the Lord Jesus Christ and loving him, brings his joy into my life and makes my joy complete. The Lord says so himself in John 15:11.

Because my life is fortified by the friendship of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is also fortified by many other friendships.