Looking To The Cross | Day 14 | John 15:13

It's amazing how, in many cases, God expands a believer's circle of friends as their love for Christ and their fellow man increases along the narrow road. This social augmentation is not just for the sake of the believer's happiness, but more so for the sake of the Kingdom of God. We are to be stewards of the relationships he has given us. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required. (Luke 12:48)

Each of those friends, whether a fellow believer or not, is an opportunity to lay down one's life in service and be a representative of Christ. Every encounter is a chance to be salt and light as we sow seeds of joy, compassion, truth, faith, and love into the lives of others. If we instead seek our own interests and agendas, we fail to answer Christ's call to love our neighbors, whether they be friends or enemies. 

Thankfully, in spite of our failure and enmity against Him, the King we serve laid down His life, of His own accord, so that our transgressions would be forgiven for all of eternity. He sought and accomplished the restoration of our fellowship with Him and with one another. In love, He irrevocably bought our eternal souls on the cross, and this is how we know that God is for us.

In light of this Gospel, let us seek to obey the commands of God by loving Him and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Today, let us ponder how we can sacrifice our own lives to seek the good of others and glorify God above all.