Love and God's People

Jesus spoke many words in the N.T. about love and especially the love of the brethren for other brethren and also their love of God and His truth, His way of life. Let me start out with John 15 and in two verses Jesus teaches two pivotal important keys to christian love. Verse 12, "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" -- talk about a goal or directive or example, it is simply stated but way beyond normal human behavior. And also verse 13, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" -- Jesus wastes no time in getting to the ultimate test of true love for friends --giving one's life for another. In this text he not only sets the benchmark, he gives a preview of His ultimate gift to all of mankind "laying His life down for His friends". If we can only get from this a small percentage of the awesome Godly truth that Jesus is sharing, than our lives will be richer beyond belief. How could we ever treat someone with disrespect, apathy and neglect again if we put this into practice -- not only treating others as better than ourselves but also willing to give up our lives for our friends because our love for them is real Godly love.