Jesus’ love takes the form of a sacrifice. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (John 15:12-13) And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (Ephesians 5:2) 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) Loving someone means wanting what’s best for them. Truly loving someone means giving up something voluntarily so they can get what’s best for them. It can’t be forced or manipulated by anyone else—real love makes sacrifice come naturally. The more someone truly loves, the more they freely sacrifice. R. A. Torrey put it directly: “The love of Jesus Christ manifested itself in His giving Himself, laying down His life for us. His was a self-sacrificing love. The death of Christ was not the only sacrifice He made, but the crowning one. His whole life was a sacrifice, from the manger to the cross. His becoming man at all was a sacrifice of immeasurable greatness and meaning. (See Philippians 2:6-7.)” (What the Bible Teaches, ch. 4). This shows that Jesus’ love won’t demand, compel, or manipulate. Jesus never says, “Well, now that I’ve given so much, it’s time for you to do something for me.” He follows His own commandment to “give, expecting nothing in return” (Luke 6:35). He just gives. He gives everything. He gives Himself. I am so thankful for Your loving sacrifice Lord. What a beautiful example You are for my life. I often fail, but I will try harder Father I promise. Thank You for my loving church family, you give me such hope. Please forgive me, but know now and for all time in the future, I intend to tell you how much I love and appreciate you on a regular basis. And I ask that you please forgive me for my past failures and anyway I have directly or indirectly hurt you, because I never intended too. I want to love you like Jesus loves me and I will do my best to do this, from this day forward. You are a gift that God has allowed me to have in my life and I love you so very much. Praying God blesses you with peace and love.
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 05:20:00 +0000
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