John 3:16 New Living Translation
“For this is how God loved the world: He
gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish
but have eternal life.”
1 John 3:16 New Living Translation
“We know what real love is because Jesus
gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers
and sisters.”
This letter by the Apostle John was
untitled and not written to any particular church. It’s thought to be sent as a
pastoral letter to several Gentile congregations.
I thought it would be interesting to place
these two verses together, since the author is the same. The theme in each
verse is essentially the same; Jesus voluntarily & willingly gave up his
own life in exchange for our sins. That is God’s prime example of what love is.
It isn’t simply a word or a feeling, but an action taken by someone. Christ
showed the world his love for mankind by laying down his own life for their
sins.
The notion of giving up your life for
others isn’t that we die in another’s place, but rather that we serve others
with no thought of reciprocation. To die for someone is in many ways easier
than truly living for them, for that would involve placing another’s desires
before your own. The world focuses on the autonomy of man, going it alone,
doing for oneself without anyone else’s assistance. Surrendering your own wants
and desires in favor of someone else’s is portrayed as weak. It’s survival of
the fittest or so they seem to think. God operates a whole different way. Love
is over all and loving others more than yourself is the example we are to
follow. The others we are to your brethren in the faith. They will know we are
followers of Christ if we have love for our brethren. Until next time, walk
with the King and be a blessing!
Resource:
The Life Application Study Bible.
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