"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:12-13)

Are you walking in obedience to His commandment? Do you love others as our Lord loves you? Are you willing to deny yourself everything including your very life for your friends?

Have you ever thought about how deeply you love your own children – even to the extent of giving your own life for them? It would be hard, but if it were necessary most parents would willingly lay down their lives for their children. But this love that Jesus talks about in our verse today demands an answer to a much harder question: Could I ever be able to give of myself to such an extent for someone I don't know, or for someone whom I don't really like? This is what the Lord is asking us—how much are we willing to give out of love for others? That kind of love requires far more than most are prepared to give.

There was a secular song years ago that asked, "How deep is your love?" These words can also be applied to what the Lord is asking us . . . "How deep is your love toward each other…how deep is your love toward Me?" Is it deep enough for you to be willing to lay down your life for your friends? The Lord did it for us; how could we be satisfied to give any less?

We all need to take time on a regular basis to examine our lives, our hearts, our motives, and our level of love for one another. Then ask, “Just how deep is my love?” Meditate on the depth of God’s love for us; it will put things in perspective FAST!

Dear Father, my love for my brothers and sisters needs to grow deep. Help me develop and maintain a loving spirit, gentle and kind yet firm and unwavering toward my friends and loved ones. Help me be an extension of Your love on this earth by loving all those I interact with, putting their needs ahead of mine. Touch through me, work through me, love through me . . . that You may be glorified in me. In Jesus' Precious Name, amen.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19)

© Jan Ross
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