Notes taken from the Life Application Study Bible.

Not long ago I discovered John 15:3 written on a plaque at the new bridge in Taipa. There it says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

What does it actually mean to love each other, as the Lord Jesus Christ loved us? The Lord Jesus Christ gave his life for us.

Are we willing to practice sacrificial love?

Here are four ways to practice sacrificial love:

• LISTENING

When people are talking, are we paying attention? James 1:19 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, …”

• HELPING

Helping means to assist someone to do something. In 2 Corinthians 9:2 we read, “For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, …”

• ENCOURAGING

When we encouraging someone we are stimulating him by approval. In Acts 13:15 the Bible says, “‘Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.'”

• GIVING

Giving means to present or hand something to someone. Acts 20:35 says, “‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

We probably meet someone today, who needs that kind of love. Are we willing to give it in abundance? What a challenge.

Are we willing to give our life for others?

“The Church has been talking about politics and the economic situation for many years but with no noticeable effect,” writes D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in his book called SPIRITUAL DEPRESSION.

Reading that reminds me of the article called “State of the Nation Report 2020.” (War Cry, 07 March 2020)

The report has the following headings:

• OUR CHILDREN,
• WORK AND INCOMES,
• CRIME AND PUNISHMENT,
• SOCIAL HAZARDS,
• HOUSING,
• INDICATORS OF INEQUALITIES BETWEEN MAORI AND NON-MAORI.

And in his book THE CROSS, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones writes, “And the business of the Christian church is to preach, not to lecture. It is not to deal with politics, nor with social conditions but to preach.”

In 1 Corinthians 2:2 the Apostle Paul says:

“I determined not to know anything among you, safe Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

“Call me simplistic, but through all the good and bad, it is people that make life worth living.” – Rebecca Howan