Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 175

June 27;   I John 3:16;   233/260(I);   ‘Laying Down Our Life’

1 John 3:16 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.

God’s love is very different from natural human love.  God’s love is a commitment.  His love is based on His character, not our behavior.  The love of Jesus simply says, “I love you.”  Jesus exemplified this love when He came and endured incredible suffering and the crucifixion.  Jesus did not die for only those who loved Him.  He died for those who hated Him.  His love was and is a powerful example to us.  Why did Jesus do this?  His sacrifice for us removed the eternal separation the sin of Adam brought to mankind.  When we are Born Again, the Holy Spirit deposits the love of God into our spirit.  This love, if we choose to bring it forth, can and will help to change the hearts of those indifferent to the Lord or those who even hate Him.  Now it is our turn to lay down our lives for not only the unsaved, but also for the Christians.  Many who ‘hate’ Jesus, do so because of religious lies that they have been told about Him.  We lay down our life for the lost, when we treat them kindly and respectfully, always looking for an opportunity to share the gospel.  If they are rude or unkind, it does not affect our love for them. We are loved and cared for by our Lord and that security is a ‘shield’ against hurtful things said or done to us.  We lay down our lives for fellow Christians by endeavoring to be the finest example of Jesus that we can be.  Speak the Word, refuse to be negative, show your love and caring for all of the body of Christ.  The Bible teaches that love never fails.  Love never failed Jesus and it will never fail us.