Jesus insists that we remain in His love and not reject it because of the demands it makes on us. To stay in this love, to find in Jesus a source of "joy" while living our new life of love brings a "joy" which can even co-exist with suffering.

If we stay in this love, Jesus' will become our will because love and obedience are naturally intertwined. We are faithful to His command that we love one another. This is the over-flowing love and joy that comes from Jesus' selfless love of us, which we should accept totally if we are to bear fruit.

A concrete example of this overflowing love at work can be seen in the Council of the Apostles (Acts 15:1-35). Decisions are taken by the Council to break with Judaism and some of the unbearable teachings of the Mosaic Law, to make it easier for all to turn to God. While the speeches made by Peter and James are interesting because they present the traditional theological, moral and scriptural reasons for turning away from the Law and they emphasize salvation through faith, let us not forget the loving spirit in which the whole discussion was held and in which the Gentiles were accepted.