Lay Down Our Lives

Date: June 14, 2023

I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional. 

B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share

You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?

B - Bible Verse: "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)

L - Listen for God's Word and pray: Dear God, open my heart and mind to receive Your Word. Help me understand the depth of Your love and the significance of laying down my life for others. Guide me in applying this verse to my life and empower me to love sacrificially. Amen.

E - Explore the History and Meaning: The apostle John wrote the first letter of John, which was intended for the early Christian community. The letter emphasizes the importance of love and righteous living as a reflection of our relationship with God. In 1 John 3:16, John highlights the ultimate act of love demonstrated by Jesus Christ, who willingly gave up His life for us. This verse teaches us about the essence of love. Love is not merely a feeling or an emotion; it is an action. It is self-sacrificial and willing to lay down one's own life for the benefit of others. Just as Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, we are called to demonstrate love by being willing to sacrifice for our brothers and sisters in Christ. It's a powerful reminder of the depth and selflessness of God's love and the standard to which we are called to love one another.

S - Study the Key Words or Phrases: 

Love: The central theme of the verse, highlighting the sacrificial nature of love.

Jesus Christ: The ultimate example of love, who laid down His life for us.

Laid down his life: Represents the selflessness and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Ought to lay down our lives: Calls us to imitate Christ's sacrificial love in our relationships with others.

Brothers and sisters: Refers to fellow believers, emphasizing the importance of loving our Christian family.

S - Summarize and Share

You know, love is more than just a warm feeling or sweet words—it's action, sacrifice, and selflessness. It's what sets us apart as followers of Christ.

Think about it: Jesus, our Savior, showed us the ultimate act of love by willingly laying down His life for us. He took on our sins, bore the weight of our mistakes, and demonstrated the incredible depth of God's love for us. It's mind-blowing, isn't it? And now, as children of God, we're called to imitate His love.

But don't worry, it doesn't mean we have to physically die for others. It means embracing a sacrificial mindset and putting others' needs before our own. It means being willing to set aside our own interests, desires, and preferences for the sake of others. It means loving people with our actions and not just our words.

Imagine a world where we lived out this kind of love every day! Our sacrificial love would speak volumes to those around us, drawing them closer to the heart of God. So, let's be intentional about loving others, showing them the same love that Christ showed us.

Today, I want to encourage you to think about practical ways you can lay down your life for others. It could be as simple as being a listening ear for a friend in need, extending forgiveness to someone who has hurt you, or sacrificing your time and resources to help someone in need. Small acts of love can make a big difference.

Remember, love is not just a word or an emotion—it's a choice we make every day. Let's allow the love of Christ to fill us and overflow onto others. Together, let's be a community that loves sacrificially, reflecting the love of our Savior in everything we do.

4 Bible Cross References:

John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."

Ephesians 5:2: "And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

1 John 4:10: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."

Let's embrace the call to love sacrificially, following the example of Jesus Christ. May our lives be a reflection of God's love, bringing hope, healing, and transformation to those around us.