“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” - 1 John 3:16 KJV
Love isn’t abstract. It isn’t visible, but it’s tangible.
Just as how air is invisible, yet we benefit from it every second, so love can’t be physically seen, but it’s discernible. It’s the expression of love that makes it tangible.
In the past two previous devotional releases, we’ve spoken about how to love in deed and in truth. However, today, we’re looking at how God in Christ demonstrated His love, worthy of emulation by us.
In 1 John 3:16, the Bible says God laid down His life for us. I thought it was Jesus who laid down His life (John 10:17). That means Jesus is fully God.
Through the sacrifice of His own life for us, He demonstrated the greatest love ever according to divine standards (John 15:13). Understanding this very adequately results in us perceiving the love of God.
Now, if Jesus laid down His life for us, the Bible commands us to lay down our lives for the brethren. What does it mean? Does it mean we should die for one another as Jesus did? To a higher degree, I say yes. But to some degree, I say, “Put other people’s interests above yours” (Philippians 2:4).
Jesus considered how many people would become children of God after His death and resurrection, which is happening till today, and then despised the cross and its shame (Hebrews 12:2). When was the last time you moved beyond your regular routines to attend to someone else’s needs without or without even asking for permission from them? Did Jesus require our permission to die for us? No! Nevertheless, He died because He knew we would need Him.
Not everyone can express their need for your presence before you, especially if you’re a busy person. However, let God guide you to sense their needs and attend to them, with or without their permission. This is how to demonstrate God’s love in you as a Christian to all manner of people. Lay down your life for the brethren.
You’re a blessing.
Devotional Code: KGD // 2022 – 130
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