Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Knowing God – 1 John 3:16 – Laid Down His Life For Us – Growing As Disciples
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. 1 John 3:16 (NIV)
What Love Is
I have a mission that I want to send you on. I have a series of tasks that I want you to do for me. This will be a very difficult mission with tasks that will require everything from you. What do you mean by everything? If you are going to accept this mission and take on these tasks then you will not be able to withhold anything from me. I’m still not quite sure what you mean. Can you tell me more? What are you asking of me? I came into this world and laid down my life for you. I gave up my life so that you could be forgiven and cleansed of your sins. I sacrificed myself so that you could have a new life in me. Yes, you did and I’m so thankful. I now love you because you first loved me. You demonstrated to me what love really is. Yes, I did. That’s exactly what I want you to do. Do what? I want you to demonstrate my love to the world. I want you to show others what love really is. How will I ever be able to demonstrate your love to the world? How can I possibly show others what love really is? Those are good questions. Would you like answers? Yes, I would, at least I think so now. You sound cautious. The mission sounds very difficult and the tasks God sized. Yes, the mission and tasks will be difficult. Let’s talk more about what I am asking of you. I’m listening.
I want you to lay down your life for others just like I laid down my life for you. What do you mean by that? Was there anything I was unwilling to do? No, you gave yourself fully. You held nothing back. There was nothing that was beneath you. You humbled yourself to take on any task. You did whatever was needed. Did I claim any special rights and privileges as I lived in the world? No, you took on the form of a servant. You set aside any and all rights that you could have rightfully demanded. Was there anyone that was unworthy of my love? No, you showed your love to everyone including all those who were living as your enemies. You loved and forgave even those who humiliated and hurt you. Have I set before you an example? You want me to live as you lived. You want me to do what you did. You want me to serve like you served. You want me to give like you gave. Now, you have the idea. You want to demonstrate your love to the world through me. You want others to see your love living and flowing out of my life. Yes, I do. Will you take on this mission? Will you do what I am asking you to do for me? Yes Lord, I will.
Lord, thank you for coming into this world to lay your life down for me. You gave up your life to pay for my sin. You made it possible so that I could come to know and love you. Help me now to demonstrate your love to the world as I lay down my life for others. Amen
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Knowing God – 1 John 3-16 – Laid Down His Life For Us – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
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