Daily Sacrifice, July 26 (15:13)
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”— John 15:13.
OUR Lord was speaking of man as such, the natural man. For such an one voluntarily to lay down his life to save his friends from disaster is the highest expression of love known to mankind. But we see a love that transcends this in Christ. He laid down His life for His enemies, for that is what we all are by nature (Rom. 5:10). There was in us nothing that warranted such love. But He looked upon us in our deep need, and in His infinite grace He gave Himself to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10). Since He has thus given Himself for us, the least we can do in return is to be ready to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16). When the love of Christ constrains us, no sacrifice will be considered too great on behalf of others (2 Cor. 5:14).