Gave Himself For Us

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

(Eph 5:1-2 NRSV)

What does this mean? Even as he gave his life that we might live we are to give our lives up for the sake of others. That does not necessarily mean that it is inevitable that we die physical deaths for others as Jesus did. It may mean that; but, not necessarily. It means that we love the people of God around us as Christ loves and would be willing, if necessary to die for them.

Mostly it means that we will put the needs of others before our own desires. We needed to have our sins washed away in order to be reconciled to God our Father; in order to enter the Kingdom of God. God had a plan. That plan was to make the ultimate sacrifice; a sacrifice so great that it would cover the sins of all people. That plan meant that the one without sin, Jesus Christ, would bear the sins of the world on the cross. He gave himself for us.

As followers of Jesus, we are to be imitators of him. His primary concern was not and is not for himself. Our primary concern is not for ourselves. His primary concern is following the will of our Father in heaven; loving Him; and, lovingly giving himself for the sake of others. 

May God help us to set aside our self-serving desires to do the will of our Father so that others might know of His great love for all human-kind.

God's Peace - Pr. J