Day 17 – WHAT LOVE IS
John 3:16-20: " 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”
Our culture offers many definitions of love—often treating it as an emotion or a feeling. But the Apostle John points us to the ultimate standard: Jesus Christ. Love isn’t just a word we speak; it is a sacrificial action. Because Jesus laid down His life for us, we are called to lay down our lives for others. Jesus gave his life that we might have salvation and eternal life. God is love, and He gives us his grace, mercy and forgiveness. The ultimate act of love for us would be to lay down our life for someone else. In our daily lives we can love others by helping them in time of need and praying for them. John reminds us that love is action, not just words. The Holy Spirit works in our heart from the inside out to transform us and fill us with God’s love, so we can share that love with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for demonstrating the ultimate example of love by sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to lay down His life for us. We pray that Your Holy Spirit transforms our hearts so that we may not merely speak about love, but demonstrate it sacrificially by sharing our resources with those in need. Whenever our hearts condemn us, remind us that You are greater than our feelings and that You know all things. Grant us the grace to live boldly in Your truth, assuring our hearts in Your presence so that we may approach You with confidence and walk in genuine obedience. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
The Lord Lift Up His Countenance Upon You. Pr Jenny
