-March 17, 2025-
Good morning, happy Monday,
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
( 1 John 3:16).
Yesterday we looked John 3:16, the first great 3:16. God so loved the world that He gave only begotten Son so that we wouldn’t perish but have everlasting life. God had the greatest love, gave us the greatest gift, for the greatest duration—all eternity.
Today we will look at how God wants us to show His love to others just like He loves us. The only reason we know love and can love others is because He loved us and laid down His life for us.
1 John 4:19 says. “We love because He first loved us.” Our natural love pales in comparison to His love. At our best we love those who love us. Jesus taught us how love others as ourselves, just as He loved us.
Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Jesus loved us by laying down His for us so that we should follow His example and lay down our lives for one another. What does it mean to lay down our lives for one another? Certainly it means to die for others if need be. But it also means to live for others, to sacrifice for others, to share with those in need, and to strengthen those who are weak. Oh, that we would live unselfish and sacrificial lives, thinking of others above ourselves.
This will make a tremendous impact on the world when we love our neighbors as ourselves, in sincerity and truth. Proverbs 17:17 tells us, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” It is loving at all times, in good times and bad, in season and out of season.
Have a blessed day loving one another and laying down our wills and desires to bless others. Stay safe and healthy.
Love lays down self so it can raise up others.
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 