Living Out God’s Love
12/11/2024
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
— 1 John 3:16 (NIV)
The love described in today’s verse is not abstract or sentimental. It’s active, intentional, and deeply sacrificial. Jesus’ death on the cross wasn’t an act of obligation, it was a deliberate choice, motivated by His love for us. He gave up everything, including His divine privileges, to bridge the gap between us and God.
This love redefines our understanding of what it means to truly care for others.
The essence of love is sacrificial. John gives us the ultimate definition of love by pointing to the cross. Jesus didn’t just tell us about love; He demonstrated it by laying down His life for us. This act of selflessness defines the heart of God’s love—a love that gives without expecting anything in return.
In a world where love is often transactional, this verse challenges us to adopt a deeper, Christ-like approach. True love isn’t measured by what we can gain, but by what we’re willing to give.
But John doesn’t stop at the example of Jesus; he issues a call to action. We are to embody this sacrificial love by caring for our brothers and sisters. This doesn’t necessarily mean physically laying down our lives but being willing to put others’ needs before our own, even when it costs us. It could be our time, resources, or emotional energy.
John contrasts this divine love with the selfishness that often characterizes human relationships. How often do we love when it’s convenient, when it serves our interests, or when it doesn’t cost us anything? The love Jesus exemplifies challenges this shallow approach. It’s a love that requires us to move beyond words and intentions to meaningful action.
To “lay down our lives” for others doesn’t always mean dying for them, but it does mean dying to ourselves. It means setting aside pride, comfort, and personal desires to meet the needs of others. It could look like forgiving someone who has wronged you, providing financial help to someone in need, or simply being present for a friend who is hurting. Each act of sacrificial love reflects Christ and draws us closer to His heart.
This verse also calls us to expand our definition of “brothers and sisters.” While it’s easy to show kindness to those in our immediate circle, God’s family is much bigger. Loving others sacrificially includes the stranger, the outcast, and even those who may not reciprocate our love.
Here are three things you can do to see how deep your love really is.
Examine Your Heart
Are there areas in your life where selfishness has crept in? Ask God to help you love sacrificially.
Act in Love
Find one specific way to demonstrate sacrificial love today. It could be helping a neighbor, encouraging a friend, or serving at church.
Reflect on Jesus’ Love
Spend time meditating on the cross and thanking Jesus for His ultimate act of love. Let that gratitude inspire your actions.
Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a choice to put others first, just as Jesus put us first on the cross. Christ’s love for us wasn’t convenient or easy—it was costly. How will you show His love today?
Lord, thank You for showing me what true love looks like through the life and death of Jesus Christ. Help me to follow His example by loving others sacrificially. Teach me to see opportunities to serve and give, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. Let Your love flow through me so that others may see You in my actions. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
— 1 John 3:16 (NIV)
The love described in today’s verse is not abstract or sentimental. It’s active, intentional, and deeply sacrificial. Jesus’ death on the cross wasn’t an act of obligation, it was a deliberate choice, motivated by His love for us. He gave up everything, including His divine privileges, to bridge the gap between us and God.
This love redefines our understanding of what it means to truly care for others.
The essence of love is sacrificial. John gives us the ultimate definition of love by pointing to the cross. Jesus didn’t just tell us about love; He demonstrated it by laying down His life for us. This act of selflessness defines the heart of God’s love—a love that gives without expecting anything in return.
In a world where love is often transactional, this verse challenges us to adopt a deeper, Christ-like approach. True love isn’t measured by what we can gain, but by what we’re willing to give.
But John doesn’t stop at the example of Jesus; he issues a call to action. We are to embody this sacrificial love by caring for our brothers and sisters. This doesn’t necessarily mean physically laying down our lives but being willing to put others’ needs before our own, even when it costs us. It could be our time, resources, or emotional energy.
John contrasts this divine love with the selfishness that often characterizes human relationships. How often do we love when it’s convenient, when it serves our interests, or when it doesn’t cost us anything? The love Jesus exemplifies challenges this shallow approach. It’s a love that requires us to move beyond words and intentions to meaningful action.
To “lay down our lives” for others doesn’t always mean dying for them, but it does mean dying to ourselves. It means setting aside pride, comfort, and personal desires to meet the needs of others. It could look like forgiving someone who has wronged you, providing financial help to someone in need, or simply being present for a friend who is hurting. Each act of sacrificial love reflects Christ and draws us closer to His heart.
This verse also calls us to expand our definition of “brothers and sisters.” While it’s easy to show kindness to those in our immediate circle, God’s family is much bigger. Loving others sacrificially includes the stranger, the outcast, and even those who may not reciprocate our love.
Here are three things you can do to see how deep your love really is.
Examine Your Heart
Are there areas in your life where selfishness has crept in? Ask God to help you love sacrificially.
Act in Love
Find one specific way to demonstrate sacrificial love today. It could be helping a neighbor, encouraging a friend, or serving at church.
Reflect on Jesus’ Love
Spend time meditating on the cross and thanking Jesus for His ultimate act of love. Let that gratitude inspire your actions.
Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a choice to put others first, just as Jesus put us first on the cross. Christ’s love for us wasn’t convenient or easy—it was costly. How will you show His love today?
Lord, thank You for showing me what true love looks like through the life and death of Jesus Christ. Help me to follow His example by loving others sacrificially. Teach me to see opportunities to serve and give, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. Let Your love flow through me so that others may see You in my actions. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Embracing the New ThingBe TransformedPleasing God, Not PeopleThe Power of Repentance and BaptismThe Power of Forgiveness and LoveLiving in the LightSharing the Good NewsRecognizing and Worshiping the Son of ManStand Firm, Unmovable, AboundingThe Power of TogethernessResting in God’s RhythmThe Greatness of GodHeld by His HandLoving Beyond LimitsSowing RighteousnessThe Danger of Self-RelianceHeld by His HandProclaiming His Glory to AllHonoring One Another In LoveHidden TreasureTrusting God’s PlansThe Treasure of the KingdomStay Alert and Be PreparedGuarding Against GreedA House DividedYou Are the Light of the WorldEars to HearAll For The OneThe Beginning of WisdomUnashamed of the Gospel
February
Drawing Near with ConfidenceDaily Bread and Daily TrustEvery Good and Perfect GiftA Call to BlessingWalking by the SpiritStrength in the Lord’s RewardThe Power of Your WordsLiving in the Grace of GodOvercoming Evil with GoodPerfect Peace in an Imperfect WorldFrom Death to LifeOvercoming Evil with GoodResting in God’s WorkA Friend Who Loves at All TimesThe Lord Delights Over YouGo Into All the WorldImitating What Is GoodStrength in WeaknessBe Still and KnowTake Heart in Troubled TimesGuarded by God’s PeacePursuing PeacePeace That Cannot Be ShakenLiving Out the Law of LoveBlessing the Poor, Honoring the LordSinging of God’s Strength and LoveWorthy, Worthy, WorthyA Vision of Heaven’s Multitude
March
Go and Make DisciplesBe Strong and CourageousChoosing the Path of LifeUnchanging in a Changing WorldRedeemed by GraceWalking in Step with the SpiritPutting Faith into PracticeGo and Tell the Good NewsDwelling in the Shelter of the Most HighBehold, the Lamb of GodTo Live is Christ, To Die is GainSwallowed by GraceFor Such a Time as ThisSeeking Wisdom from GodBe MercifulA Heart That Seeks GodExtending Mercy to the DoubtfulThe Word Was GodThe Knock at Your Heart’s DoorThe Sacrifice That Pleases GodSharpening Souls TogetherMade for RestA Way OutApproved and UnashamedAll InClothed with CompassionLove That CoversRoots That Never Run DryRemain in MeThe Great ExchangeGod at Work Within You
No Comments