By this we know love because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16 WEB
There is a sharp contrast between love and hate. However, the opposite of love is best defined as indifference. In its active form, love is caring and sacrificial like a mother staying up all night to nurse a sick child. From loving acts like this, we know love. Hate, in its active form, is wrathful and destructive. It is disliking someone or something with intense passion. On the other hand, indifference is without emotion, lacking sympathy, concern, or care.
It is a wonderful fact of the gospel story that Jesus actively loves people. God hates sin but loves the sinner. And the Lord is not indifferent to suffering. God, in his concern and care for humanity, took sin upon himself in the person of Jesus Christ and died that we might live through belief in him. We know love by the example set by our loving Savior.
In addition Christ commands believers to love each other. Rather than just having feelings for one another, Jesus directs the faithful to actively love others with these words from John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. WEB”
Greater Love
Notably, Christ fed the hungry, healed the sick, cast out evil spirits, and ultimately gave his life as a ransom for our sins. Jesus describes this self-sacrificing love as the greatest love of all. As he says in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. WEB”
Consistent with Christ’s command to love one another as he loved us, John suggests that we too be willing to lay our lives down for fellow believers. With his words, “we know love,” John displays his understanding of Christ’s deep devotion to the salvation of his followers.
John’s words suggest that we give our lives in service to the body of Christ, that we help those in need. Rather than just having “feelings” for others, take action to benefit our brothers and sisters. Providing clothes, shelter, food, and support are examples of this active love.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the example of love we receive in your Son. Thank you for loving me. Provide me with the resources and the opportunity to love as you love. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Perfect and Complete
