Laying Down Your Life

God-breathed love is sacrificial. It continues to give even under the most difficult of circumstances, never keeping track of the cost. As indicated in today’s scripture, the ultimate expression of love is one’s willingness to lay down his or her life for another.

We wonder if such love is really possible—and if we have it in ourselves to love so sacrificially. Does this scripture refer only to literal death, or is there a deeper message?

Sacrifice, by its very definition, is the ability to place another’s needs before your own—to continue pouring out, even when you’re tapped out. Every instance you give of your time, energy, or resources to care for a loved one in need, you demonstrate your willingness to lay down your life. You’re expressing the heart of God.

Your ability to continue giving day in and day out pleases the heart of your heavenly Father, who perfectly understands the principle of “laying down” one’s life. After all, that’s what He did for us at Calvary.