TOPIC: Love

What comes to mind when you hear the word timeless? In my own mind I associate the word with great works of art. Something that is timeless has such universal appeal that it's valued in all times and in all places. The paintings of Da Vinci, the symphonies of Tchaikovsky, the works of Shakespeare--all are hundreds of years old but all are still treasured by many people.

The Bible is another one of those timeless treasures. That's because it is ultimately the story of the timeless love of God. Let's take a look.

What Does the Bible Say?

If you saw the movie The Passion of the Christ a few years ago, you know (perhaps better than many in the last several centuries) how brutal and terrible the cross of Christ was. It was a savage way to die; and yet, according to John, the very picture of love. Why?

The Bible tells us what it means by love. In 1 John 3:16 we find one of the greatest definitions of love ever given. "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers" (ESV).

The greatest acts of love are demonstrated in the greatest acts of self-sacrifice. Jesus didn't end up on the cross by accident. He didn't slip up one day in Jerusalem. From the beginning, Jesus' sacrificial death was part of the plan (Revelation 13:8). God knew that only through the substitutionary death of Jesus could we ever have a relationship with Him again.

You and I today can experience that renewed relationship with God because of the sacrifice of Jesus. We can experience that true love when we come to Christ. It's a love that is as timeless as God Himself.

My Thoughts

As you read through 1 John 3:16 again, think about the following questions:

1. How does this definition of love differ from other popular definitions of love?

2. How can we demonstrate this example of love in our lives?

My Part

John says, "and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers" (1 John 3:16, ESV). Now, we can read this as "we ought to die for each other"; but the much more practical way of reading it is, "we ought to serve each other." Think about it: When you choose to fulfill someone else's needs, you are in effect laying down your life. Ask God to show you some ways today you can lay down your life for others. Pray that as you do they will see the timeless love of God in your actions.