No Greater Love

John 15:13 (KJV) Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

What does it mean to lay down your life for others? Jesus defined love in terms of sacrificial actions rather than words or emotions.  As I have stated in previous blogs there are four different types of love. They are as follows:

EROS includes passion or infatuation as well as sexual or romantic love.

STORGE refers to the natural affection between a parent and child.

PHILEO refers to the intimacy that good friends share.

AGAPE is sacrificial love–a commitment that motivates us to deny ourselves on behalf of another. This is the type of love the Lord had in mind when He commanded His followers to love one another.

You can see that AGAPE love is a sacrificial love. This is the true love that flows from God and it is a command for those of us who say we are born again believers of Jesus Christ.

Our physical life is one of the most valuable asset we possess. There is only one greater and that is our spiritual life in Jesus Christ. There is not a greater expression of love than when a person is willing to lay down their life for another person or their country. It enhances the love of Jesus Christ. Jesus died for His enemies and those who hate Him and those who reject Him as the One who came and died for us sinners. What Jesus did for us shows the extent of His love that He has for us. There is no greater love than when He laid down His life for us.

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to possibly lay down your life for someone else? Have you ever thought about what you would do if the situation ever presented itself? I have and I had to make that choice in January, 1968. That was a transforming experience for me since I am still alive and I praise God that He granted me additional time here on earth. How about the many who have died for our freedom? How sad it is when people demonstrate and destroy because they say it is their right. How many have died so others may have that right? I often ask myself, would these demonstrators be willing to die for others? I know what I thought about before and after my experience of how close death was at my door and it was for a total stranger. I have no regrets and I praise and thank God for the privilege of serving Him.

As we enter into this Christmas Season, God may not ask you to lay down your life, but He may be asking you to share with someone you may know or don’t know, the Good News of Jesus Christ. Sacrifice a little by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. You will be blessed. Jesus sacrificed His position in Heaven to come to earth as a gift for us. Give Him thanks by sharing with others. May the Lord bless you this Christmas?