1 John 3:16
This is how we have discovered love’s reality: Jesus sacrificed his life for us. Because of this great love, we should be willing to lay down our lives for one another. (The Passion Translation)

Are you willing to give up your life to show the love of God?

Foreigner wrote a song entitled “I want to know what love is”. The unfortunate thing is, the group is not asking the right person. If they really want to know what love is and if they want someone to show them; they need to ask Jesus and look at His life. If you are also wondering, Jesus shows what genuine love is. Jesus is love personified. It is not enough to talk about love. It has to be demonstrated. Love is an action word. What actions did Jesus take? He gave up His deity and His throne in heaven, came to earth and lived as a man, and suffered and died the most humiliating death. He did all of this for a world who did not know or love Him.

John 3:16 For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. (The Voice)

John 15:13 For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life[a] for his friends. (The Passion Translation)

There is no greater expression of love. To perpetuate Jesus’ sacrifice and love, you also have to give up your life as you understand it. Not to die physically, though some have, but to allow the Lord to realign your priorities. There will always be someone who wants to understand what love is, and there will always be a need for someone to show love until Jesus returns. Someone witnessed to you. Someone guided you and showed you the love of Christ. In order for you to do the same for someone else, you must be willing to sacrifice the life you mapped out and planned for yourself. Be willing to give up your perfect, wonderful life and allow God to own it. Be willing to alter your career choice for the choice that God designed for you in order to save souls. Every day, you will come across someone who needs you. He/she may or may not know the Lord. At that moment, sharing Christ may not be on your agenda. You may pass on the opportunity because you have an appointment, you are late for work; you have had a bad day; you are tired; etc. However, make the same affirmation over your life, Paul made.

Galatians 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

Remember, when God owns your life, He sets your agenda. So, you make the sacrifice. It may be your time, your talent, your career, or your money. Whatever it is, be grateful for the chance and take it.

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, I thank You because I can say I know what love is. Jesus showed me. I am so grateful for accepting Your invitation for salvation. I am also thankful for allowing You to rule and regulate my life. I am your servant and I live in Your love. Thank You for the opportunity to show others what love is. I understand in order to love, in the purest sense, I have to give up my life. With each day that passes, I get more excited about understanding what it means to be crucified with Christ. My life is not my own, but Yours to do with as You will. Use me so some lost man, woman, boy or girl might come to know Your love as well…