Love One Another: The Hardest Command Of All
For most of us, it's not hard to experience love. For example, there is the love we have for our family; those bonds that tie us together by blood. There is the love we have for our friends and those special people who touch our lives. And, most people at some point in time, have experienced romantic love; those wonderful fluffy feelings that come along with someone of the opposite sex. Unfortunately we also know the pain there is when we lose someone we love, whether that be family, friend or lover. It's a devastating feeling. We all know it. One way or another we have all experienced 'love.'
But what happens when this command to love actually becomes a verb; something that we have to do; something that we have to put into action? Being in love and really loving someone are two totally different things, and to love as God calls us can become quite a challenge.
So how do we "love one another" as Jesus has loved us?
This verse would suggest that it has something to do with dying; by actually laying down our lives as Jesus did.
Jesus's sacrifice, his actions and his tangible response of love towards us suggest to us both a task to be accomplished and a question to ponder. "How am I to love my neighbour when even death shouldn't limit my response?"
Can this verse really be suggesting that we should be willing to die for one another?
Perhaps it is, but I think Jesus is asking for even more from us than that.
When we think about laying down our lives for one another we usually think in terms of a one time, singular event. And perhaps some day God will call some of us to that end; to die for someone we love.
But I think this passage calls us to something far more difficult.......to lay down our lives over and over again, minute by minute, day by day, over the course of a lifetime; in sacrifice.... and to love even when it hurts. Even when that love is never returned.
That is what it means to love someone as God commands. It is true love in action. It is what God calls us to for one another and it's the hardest thing you'll ever be asked to do.
In what way is God calling you to lay down your life for others?
When I think of giving up my "life" I do not first think of dying to this world, though yes, I would die to save my family or like most, run into a burning building to help even at my life's risk.
ReplyDeleteBut my life... our lives... to me are more what we are doing with our physical, emotional, spiritual self right now and tomorrow; and giving that up for someone else immediately is what I hope I am always willing to do when they need me.
So, Pastor Rhonda, laying down my life for someone; friend or stranger, to me means "listening" rather than to my iPod, to what someone is saying with their words or body language. And it means stopping whatever I am doing, turning to them and turning off any iPod, TV, Computer or iPhone and really listening; laying "my life" aside
and caring, sharing, whatever is needed.
I hope that makes sense. To me, as you wrote and I agree and like your point of view HE wants us to lay down our life over and over again. If I recall one of HIS answers regarding feeding the hungry, or helping a fallen person, HE said whenever you do this to any among you, it is as though you did it to me. 'You fed ME, you comforted ME, at those times'.
And if I do not lay down my life for anyone who needs whatever, that is as though I denied helping Jesus! And that would be so unthinkable to all here I believe. So yes, like you Rhonda, we must lay down our lives over and over our whole mortal life and to do this for Jesus is an honour!
HE is Blessing all, always†
Jan-Michael