John 15:13
"Put your life on the line for your friends." (The Message)
The Message often lengthens some passages of scripture, but for verse 13 of John 15 it is short and sweet...and to the point. Those who enter the military understand what it means to be called to die for their country - unknown friends and family. We as ordinary citizens are not often asked to die for a friendship in the physical sense. So how can we apply Christ's message in this verse?I see two deaths that can take place. The first is to reject or die to those aspects of our life that separate us from God. It might be an activity or addiction we REALLY like, hence, a close 'friend'. Think of death in this case as a good pruning. Secondly, and I think more importantly, to 'die for someone' means to put their desires and needs ahead of our own. This is hard to do on a constant basis, but when we live our life thinking of others first, we are free to experience a life of completeness, a life filled with the joy of God's love.
How can I 'lay down my life' today? For whom?
All of your postings are relevant to our personal spiritual growth yet, we must not stop there, we must grow these same spiritual fruits as a community. all that challenges us as individuals, also challenges us as a community. The personal aspect of our faith is just a part of this precious gift of faith, our faith is also communal, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”(Mt 18:20)
ReplyDeleteJesus did not say,for where one of you is, I is!
Jim
"Love enters the world of its own accord, for its own reasons. And love is always accompanied by light. That is, love always illuminates the space it occupies.
ReplyDeleteWatch now for love to enlighten your world. Look to see what new understanding is yours in the presence of love."
In the above quote, substitute GOD for the word Love and experience what God is revealing to us through John.
John is the apostle of LOVE, John is the apostle of GOD!
Jim