3:16 (part 1) - Following God's example

1 John 3:16

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

I am sure you are already well verse with John 3:16.

Now, let us memorize 1 John 3 :16.
Compared to John 3:16, this verse is by written the same author, John, same chapter, and the same verse.

So you can associate both texts which will aid your memory.

John 3:16 tells us what God have done for us > by laying His life for us.
1 John 3:16 tells us what should we do > by also laying our life for others.

The break down of the verse:

Hereby perceive we the love of God, (that means now we see God's love)

how?

because he laid down his life for us:

so, what should we do?

and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

++++

To lay down our lives for the brethen? You may perceive this text to be too radical. Surely, it is very normal for our carnal flesh to be not in harmony with the Holiness of our loving Father.

But, let us consider what the Jesus have done for us. He gave it all.

He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Albert Barnes (1798-1870) put it this way:

"We ought to have such love for Christians as to be willing to jeopard our lives to aid them - as in case of a pestilence or plague, or when they are in danger by fire, or flood, or foes."

"We ought to have such love for the truth as to be willing to sacrifice our lives rather than deny it."

"We ought to have such love for the cause of our Master as to be willing to cross oceans, and snows, and sands; to visit distant and barbarous regions, though at imminent risk of our lives, and though with the prospect that we shall never see our country again."

next: Walk by the Same Rule (memorize Philippians 3:16)