Daily Devotions
What is Love?
Reading for December 1st: 1 Corinthians 9-11>
Weekly reading for November 29-December 5: 1 John 1-5
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
1 John 3:16
What is the most famous verse in the Bible?
John 3:16, which says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
Easily the most recognizable verse in the Bible. Fewer people, however, would recognize 1 John 3:16 which tells us what our response to God's love ought to be. If Jesus laid down his life for us, we ought to lay down our lives for each other.
How do we lay down our lives for each other? It's not by any one great heroic act of sacrifice, but by doing a lot of simple, little things for one another. We do it by putting the needs of others ahead of our own needs (Phil 2:4). We do it by serving each other (Rom 12:13). We do it by taking time to intercede for each other in prayer (Col 4:12). We do it by sympathizing with each other (Rom 12:15). To sum it all up, we do it by practicing the Golden Rule in every decision we make (Mt 7:12).
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving your life for us! Help us to show our gratitude by laying down our lives for each other.
