For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16

In John 15:13 the Bible says, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” In this verse, we see the sacrificial love of Christ. Christ said in verse 9, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” Writing to the Churches at Corinth the apostle Paul wrote the following about the sacrificial love of Christ. “For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died” (2 Corinthians 5:14). Ephesians 5:2 says, “and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

The love of Christ is amazing. The love of Christ is at the heart of his death on the cross. Christ died for sinful mankind because He loves His creation and desires them to be saved from the penalty of their sin and rebellion against God, the Father. The Lord Jesus Christ laid down his life as a sacrifice for sin. Christ died for all mankind even those who reject Him. The Bible says that Christ died for false prophets and false teachers. In 2 Peter 2:1 the Bible says, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.”

The Lord Jesus Christ was ready and willing to die for sinners, even those who despise and reject Him. Christ knew all this prior to his death and yet he gave his life for friend and foe alike. His love compels us to show love towards our friends and our enemies.

Here are some questions to consider.

1. How can you show the love of Christ today?
2. How can you show the love of Christ towards your friends?
3. How does the love of Christ manifest itself in your life and witness?