“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 and sisters.” — 1 John 3:16
Today. One day post Easter, in this quiet morning-after moment—after all of the bustle and the exuberance, after the praise songs declaring our Lord’s victory (and our own)—I am quietly, deep in my soul, thankful.
This is how we know what love is, isn’t it? Jesus laid down his life for us.
And I don’t want to lose this focus, this desire to let the love of Jesus impact every corner of my life. So this morning, I asked God to show me where I’m not impacted by his love, where I am not willing to lay down my life in response to his love for me.
And in this Easter wake, I wonder if you want to do the same?
If you do, I’ve got a little something for you. It’s a session from our digital Bible study. May it further your focus on Christ’s love for you, may it open your heart to his continued impact on all areas of your life, and may it call you into a deeper love for him and his people.
We often throw around the word “love” willy-nilly.
We love smashburgers. We love our moms. Not the same. We love that new dress. We love Jesus. Also, not the same.
Our verse defines love as life-laying-down love—love that loves so intensely, so radically that it gives up everything that is “life” for the other. Jesus loves us that way. And we are to love others in the very same way.
But what exactly is life-laying-down love? I mean Jesus actually died for us. How do we “die” or lay down our lives for other people? One practical way of thinking about this is to consider all the things that bring us life and then ask ourselves, “Would I be willing to give them up for someone else?” So, I’ve done just that, I’ve made us a list. And I know this is going to expose some dark things in our hearts. It did for me. But here’s something to remember: God never exposes us for our shame, but for our good, our growth, and because he loves us.
Ok, so here goes. As you read through this list of things that bring you life, rank them on how willing you are to give them up on a scale of 1-5 (1 being very willing, and 5 being not at all willing). Really think about it. Consider your recent past, maybe think of specific situations.
Look over your list. What things are you loving more than you love Jesus and his people? Please don’t be overwhelmed; we're all works in progress. But there is work to do!
Pick just one thing. What’s one action step you can take to love Jesus or his people by laying that one thing down?
Want more like this? Our new Dwell Differently Bible Study and Dwell Differently Complete memberships include a monthly 12-session digital Bible study. Sign up by the end of the month for early bird discounts!
