Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 John 3:16-17

Love is an action! The world likes to throw around the word “love” , they like to say “I love this” and “I love that” but does the world really love? Can you really love without action? If a parent says they love their children , yet never take care of them, is that really love? No of course not, Love is more than just words or feelings, Love is an action, its a demonstration of your allegiance to someone

How do we know God loves you? Jesus demonstrated it on the cross, even though we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8) Again Love is an action, God demonstrated his love towards us, are you demonstrating your love towards God? As the Apostle John says “By this we know love, because He (Christ) laid down his life for us”  The greatest love story happened at Calvary, when Jesus Christ laid down his life for you, why? Simply because He loves you, not that you deserved it or earned it, just because God loves you!

Knowing the love that Christ demonstrated for you, how can you ignore this? The Creator of the Heaven and Earth became flesh, suffered and died on a cross to pay for the penalty of your sins, what is your response? Christ has given his life for you, have you given your life to Christ? Again love is a demonstration, many will say they “Love Jesus”  yet does your life reflect this? Are you willing to lay your life down for Christ? Are you able to forsake all for The Lord?

Notice in Johns teaching here there is a second part “And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” Here again we see a strong emphasis on the Love for the Church, our brothers and sisters in Christ, the brethren. Not only should you just love the Church, but willing to lay down your life for the Church, are you able? Many self professed Christians won’t even gather with the Church, yet alone lay down their lives. They have forsaken the assembly (Hebrews 10:25) Love is an action, by abandoning the Church you are not demonstrating the Love of Christ, you are known by your fruit (Matthew 7)

And the Apostle John goes on “Whoever has world goods and see his brother in need , and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” Again love is an action, if your brethren is in need and you just ignore them, there is no love of God in you. You claim to be a Christian, you claim to love God, yet the fruits of your life demonstrate the works of the devil. To forsake the Church is not the love of God, its the works of the devil

God has demonstrated his love towards us on the cross, Go now filled with the Holy Spirit to love and serve One another in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!