Distinct Love is Willing to Sacrifice

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Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, through for a good man someone might possible dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)    
      Passage: 1 John 3:16-20

         Many years ago, I saw a poster with an image of Jesus on the cross. Underneath were the words, “I asked Jesus, ‘How much do you love me?’ ‘This much He said’, and He stretched out His arms and died.” Jesus told His disciples on the final night before His crucifixion, “Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13). He then told them that they were His friends, but that relationship began on His end, when He called them to follow Him. They did and they became His friends.
        Jesus didn’t wait for the world to respond to be His friend. Paul tells us that the love of God for us is so distinct that Jesus dies for us while were still sinners. Separated from Him. Distanced from Him. Opposed to Him. The agape love of God is a love that is willing to sacrifice for everyone. That attitude of sacrificial love is part of the nature of Christ in you. It is distinct from the world , but it makes all the difference in the world.  

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