Are We Loving Like Jesus?

I John 3:16-18 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. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

How can we know that God loves us? How can we know what love is? Well, John makes it very clear in today's verses. We know that God loves us because He paid the ultimate price for us. He laid down His life to pay a price we could not pay for ourselves. He voluntarily shed His Blood, and allowed Himself to be tortured and nailed to a cross. The most wonderful part about this sacrifice was that not only did He lay down His life, but He also took it back up on the third day; thereby defeating death and the grave. He purchased our salvation and now offers us the free gift of eternal life that can only be found and obtained in Him. In doing what He did, He also taught us what true love really is. It is our willingness to lay down our life for one another. I am not talking about taking a bullet for someone else. Some of us are willing to do that for a loved one without question. However, how many of us can lay down our lives by taking up our cross daily and putting the needs of others before our own? How many of us are willing to part with our material things and our money in order to meet the needs of others, as the Lord leads? Are we willing to rearrange our schedules in order to be there for someone else? Are we willing to use the same talents and abilities that we use to make a living to be a blessing to a brother or sister in need, without charging a fee or expecting something in return? If we were to step back and truly ask God to examine our hearts as it pertains to loving others the same way God loves us, what would be revealed? Are we loving the brethren the way that Jesus loves us?

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).