“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 (NIV)
Love often comes with a cost. It’s not always convenient or comfortable, and at times, it requires sacrifice. 1 John 3:16 defines love in its purest form: Jesus Christ laying down His life for us. Through His selfless act, we see that love is not just a feeling or word but a profound action that puts others first, even at great personal expense. How does this example challenge the way you love others in your daily life?
Laying down your life doesn’t always mean physically giving it up. It could mean sacrificing your time to help someone in need, setting aside your preferences to serve your family, or forgiving someone who has hurt you deeply. These acts of selflessness may feel like a small “death” to your own desires, but they reflect the sacrificial nature of Christ’s love. What areas in your life might God be calling you to practice this kind of love?
Jesus didn’t love us when it was convenient or when we deserved it. He loved us at our worst, offering Himself freely for our sake. His sacrifice wasn’t about Him—it was about us. In the same way, our love for others should reflect His heart, even when it’s hard or when there’s nothing in it for us. When we live this way, we not only demonstrate God’s love but also grow in our understanding of what it means to truly follow Him.
Loving sacrificially may be costly, but it’s worth it. It creates deeper connections, breaks down walls of resentment, and reveals God’s heart to the world. As you go about your day, ask God to show you opportunities to lay down your life for others in big and small ways. It’s in those moments that His love flows through you, making an eternal impact.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for showing me what true love looks like through the sacrifice of Jesus. Help me to reflect your heart by loving others sacrificially, even when it’s hard or inconvenient. Teach me to lay down my life in small ways every day, so your love can be seen through me. Amen.
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