Love Matters

Love

"There is no greater love than this: than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13

How many times has this verse been taken out of context? We “wax poetic” using this verse to declare our unending friendship, love, and/or devotion to those we are trying to convince. If we truly love someone, should we have to convince them? Maybe the reality is that we’re really trying to convince ourselves that the relationship we desire to have is worth the effort we are expending to achieve it. Regardless, when we read the verse in context it’s not talking about us at all, but about a Love that is greater than ourselves. This Love was willing to lay down His life for us and He doesn’t sit around wondering and hoping if we will return it. He simply offers it to those who hear His voice when He calls and in return He gives it to those that will receive it. It is not a Love that is born out of desperation but intention. It is intentional, steadfast, and is given not because of who we are but in spite of who we are. This kind of love for others can only come from the One that embodies the very nature and definition of the Love this verse is referring to. We must first receive this Love before we can give it away to others. It is a Love not FROM demonstration but OF demonstration.

copyright 2018 Debbie Reed