LEARNING DAILY

 

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.  Jesus

 

If I had to select what I considered the greatest difference between Christianity and other religions found in the world, I believe it would be the love of God. It is far greater than the feelings one has for another such as the love I have for my wife. God’s love is perfect and not based on another’s actions or qualities. Jesus said these words and would show His great love for all who would believe in Him by sacrificing His life on a cross for them. Once we accept Him as Savior, we are to love others in that same way. Can you imagine how different the world would be if Christians would love like God? God loves us more than we can imagine. He must or I believe He would have given up on me long ago. Because He lives in us, He is the source of love that is in each of us.

 

The Greek word for this type of love is “agape” which means selfless or the love of the Father in heaven; it is a spiritual love that we only receive as we walk with God. It is altogether different from the worldly, natural love which is conditional and based on feelings and conditions. This natural love wears off or goes away when the emotion is gone. Our culture is centered on what it calls love and often confuses love for passion which causes people to act and do things (even good things) for the wrong reasons. Compared to God’s love, the natural love we see is weak and short-lived. Agape love is only learned from God and walking with Him on the narrow way to eternal life in His kingdom.

 

When Jesus said that one knows how to love when one lays down their life for another – which He showed by going to the cross for whosoever would believe in Him -- He gave us the example as to how we should live our lives. He meant literally dying for another. This begins by dying to ourselves and giving to others what they need. To me this means giving of our possessions, our wealth, our time to help others in their need. Who was Jesus talking about when He said, “for his friends”? He meant whoever we saw in need – even our enemies.

 

This chapter in John begins with Jesus being referred to as the true vine, the source of all life. Believers are referred to as the branches that are to bear fruit. The branches cannot bear fruit independently of the vine which means Christians cannot be independent from the love of Jesus. Pruning of the branches is a natural part of the Christian walk. God will prune our hearts as we draw closer to him daily. When we choose to live our lives as He desires, we begin to submit our plans to the plans He has for us by living and sharing God’s love with those who He sends to us.

 

The love of God can be tough. When He sent His Son to die for us, He knew we would not always love Him in return. But everything He does is meant to draw each of us closer to Him or bring us into a relationship with Him! The love Jesus showed by laying down His life for us is an example for us to live by. Each day, we lay down our own selfish will, our own selfish desires to share with others His purposes and His kingdom. We go through His pruning to focus on Him alone. Yes, we do our work, but we do it with the kingdom of God in mind, for Him and not our selfish purpose.

 

To lay down our lives, to show God’s love has little to do with us and everything to do with the Lord Jesus Christ. We submit to Him, to His will, and live obediently to the truth of God’s Word.