REAL LOVE SACRIFICES FOR OTHERS
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.
Most of us think love is a pleasant experience, something easy to give away to others, always feels good in the process, and it is painless to express.
"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)
Sadly, our version of love is offered to others by how it makes us feel instead for the benefit of the ones we love.
When asked why engaged couples are marrying their future spouse, they often list the ways their fiancée makes them feel.
It is a very rare couple, who looks out for the interest of their future bride or groom more than themselves, wanting to marry the other person because they want to make their future spouse's life better.
“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” (Luke 6:32)
Jesus showed us how to love others who do not love us by loving us before we loved Him.
Jesus' endured the selfless sacrifice of loving sinful people and facing their rejection, hatred, and mockery daily.
“He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” (Isaiah 53:3)
Jesus took on the penalty of sin, death, suffering public humiliation, unbelievable sorrow, excruciating pain, and separation from the Father through an agonizing death so that we could have a direct relationship with God.
“Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4)
Why would Jesus take on the sins of the world, suffering all the humilities and agonies known to man, bearing all our sinfulness, sicknesses, pain, and sorrows?
Because real love selflessly sacrifices for others.
Heavenly Father, because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, I now have a relationship with You. Nothing could hold Jesus back from such great love. Now that same love lives in me as Your child. I must show this great love each day as You live in me. My words, my actions, and giving all show others Your love. Thank You for such great love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Jesus Took On The Penalty Of Sin, Death, Suffering Public Humiliation, Unbelievable Sorrow, Excruciating Pain, And Separation From The Father Through An Agonizing Death So That We Could Have A Direct Relationship With God.
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