Love!

Love!

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 KJV

An example is presented to us as the template for love. First, we see Jesus presented as a man, in human form, subject to nature like hunger, thirst and even anger.
He came as man, to show ot man that whatever God commands is possible. As a man, in human form, He paid the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of mankind, laying down his life for people he called his friends.

And that is the suprise: He calls us friends here, but the time He died, we weren't even close to being His friends or even friendly in any way. Romans 5:8 KJV says: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We didn't care who He was at the time, and the men of His day would rather secure the release of a murderer than allow Him, who was without sin, to walk away. These are the people Jesus calls friends now.

In that, is the example and pattern established. The standard is set and the template formed. Anything less than the standard is not acceptable. If I will show forth God's grace in all its fullness, I must follow the pattern. If Jesus could pay such a high price for people He couldn't guarantee their allegiance and surrender, and He demands I walk in His steps, why would I only show love to people who I think deserve it? Would that be the example I have been given?

I take stock, and ask God for His help to love others the way He demands and has given grace for. His time of favour is here.