A Living SacrificeSample

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:10 ESV)

As we discussed in previous days, this living sacrifice life which is dead to self and alive in Christ, is very fruitful. And like a big fruit tree in an orchard, or like a vineyard full of plump, juicy grapes, it should be evident and attractive. One of the biggest fruits of His Spirit is love. When people encounter God’s people, Christians, they should encounter people of love. When they come into our gatherings, they should see people who love each other and who enjoy each other.

Back to John 15, when Jesus was giving the disciples final instructions. In John 15:10 (ESV), He says,“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.”The most logical question to this is, “Which commandments? Then, Jesus answers in John 15:12 (ESV),“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

Jesus also said this earlier in His ministry, when they asked Him which was the greatest commandment. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 (ESV)

And right after He stooped to one knee and washed the dirty feet of the disciples, He said these words: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”John 13:35 (ESV)

Jesus died a brutal death on the cross to show us the ultimate act of love. He is a God of love, and if we are His people, we should be people of love.