I John 3:15-16 (Part 2)

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Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

THE STUDY:

Last Sunday was the second Sunday of Advent which focused on LOVE! These 2 verses are dealing with love and hate. Yesterday we read how hatred is defined as being a “murderer.” Today we read how John defines what Love is “that he laid down his life for us.”

The death of Christ was not a colossal accident; it had a purpose. His was a life given, not taken from him. The NIV inserts the name Jesus Christ for the word ekeinos (that one). In 1 John eikeinos consistently refers to the incarnate life of Christ (2:6; 3:3, 5, 7; 4:17). He “laid down his life,” no earthly ruler had the power to take his life, not even the Roman governor Pilate.

John contends that the only adequate response to this love is to live a life of selfless sacrifice, that is, to live like Christ. Such living is not to earn merit with God, but to express gratitude toward God. This sacrifice and emptying of self extends as far as giving our lives.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

We walk away this morning reminded that Christ always had US on his mind. Everything He did was because of the love He has for God’s people. The surrendering of His wants, His ways, and His will for the will of the Father is the life we should desire to live on this earth.

CONCLUSION:

           George Atley, a young Englishman with the heart of a hero, was engaged in the Central African Mission. He was attacked by a party of natives. He had with him a Winchester repeating rifle with ten loaded chambers. The party was completely at his mercy. Calmly and quickly he summed up the situation. He concluded that if he killed them it would do the mission more harm than if he allowed them to take his life. So, as a lamb to the slaughter he was led; and when his body was found in the stream, his rifle was also found with its ten chambers still loaded.

          The next time the Holy Spirit moves you to do the Fathers will, remember it is all in the name of Love.  

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (125). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.