“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” – 1 John 3:16 NKJV
Welcome to the 6th weekly devotional recap of the year. This week’s articles kicked off the month of love by pointing us to the ultimate demonstration of love and teaching us how to respond to it. We began the week on Monday by meditating on the depth of God’s love for us, which He demonstrated by dying for our sins, even when we were undeserving (Romans 5:8). The natural man is spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-2), a slave to sin (John 8:34), and an enemy of God (Romans 5:10). By our natural design, we deserve God’s judgment (Ephesians 2:8), but He offers us grace because of His love. Before you even realised you needed it, He made provision for your salvation, giving you eternal life (Romans 8:32).
On Tuesday, we learned that God, like a shepherd, leads, protects, and guides, to the extent that He sacrificed His life for us (John 10:11). Jesus, the perfect Shepherd, demonstrated deep devotion to mankind (Acts 10:38), culminating in Him laying down His life (John 3:16). Just as sheep recognise and follow their shepherd’s voice, we must respond to our Shepherd’s love with trust and obedience. If you seek His guidance, He will lead you. Let His selfless love give you the confidence to trust Him, for it is only in Him that you can find peace and rest.
Wednesday’s article focused on how to receive God’s love. Recognise that salvation is a gift you could not earn and respond with humility (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus did for you what you could never do for yourself, so receive His gift with gratitude (Ephesians 1:3). Even if you were the only one in need of salvation, He would still have died for you. You can never thank Him too much.
On Thursday, we learned to extend the love we received to everyone we know by sharing the Gospel. It is unfair to possess the ultimate solution to their suffering– both in this world and eternity–and withhold it from them. Jesus died for the salvation of the whole world, and as believers, it is our responsibility to share this message (2 Corinthians 5:20). As you go, remember that you are backed by the One who sent you (Acts 1:8, Mark 16:17-18). All you need to do is yield to His leading.
We concluded the week with a reminder that loving Jesus means following His example. God’s love serves as the foundation for how we should love others. Just as Jesus loved unconditionally and sacrificially, He calls us to mirror His love in our actions (1 John 3:16). Loving others means caring selflessly, serving joyfully, and giving without expecting anything in return, just as Christ did. Even though loving like Jesus is not always easy, it is possible because He first loved you and imparted His nature to you (1 John 4:10-11).
Dear believer, love is at the heart of our relationship with God and others. Embrace His love, respond with thanksgiving, and share it with the world. Let others experience God’s love through you.Have a great weekend!
Bible Reading Plan: Leviticus 4-9; Matthew 26:36-75