Bible Ballistics: BBs #163 Remember Those Who Gave!!!

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12-13

Jesus laid down His life for us!!! That is an historical fact, and I praise God for the salvation He has given to us through the willing offering of the blood of His Lamb on the cross at Calvary. Why would Jesus do that for sinners like us? HE gave because HE loves us. HE loved us then, HE loves us now, and HE also calls us to love one another.

How? By the truth and power of God’s love which is given to us at salvation—not  the world’s ‘love’—but the “love of God”.

That ‘agape’ love: unconditional love, that which always does what is the best for the recipient. And we can only do that when the “love OF God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost”!!!

Romans 5:5-8, “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

And we are compelled to share what we have received—the gospel of Jesus Christ– with those around us. But remember, we can only share that which we possess:

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

As the popular proverb says: “all gave some, some gave all”, we know that Jesus gave all for us. And when we receive the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ into our hearts and lives, we are then compelled to “give all” for Him by serving others.

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 (purchased with the blood of the Lamb!!!)

It’s not always easy,

in fact, it’s seldom easy.

It’s not always convenient,

in fact, it’s seldom convenient.

It’s not always without cost,

in fact, it almost always costs us something

to ‘give all’ to Jesus

through service to others.

I am so grateful for the men and women who have given themselves to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, and that it reached me!!! I am also grateful for those men and women who have given all to purchase our American liberties and the liberties of millions around the world. May we ever carry the torch of truth—God’s truth?

“For the love of Christ constraineth us;

because we thus judge,

that if one died for all, 

then were all dead:

15 And that he died for all,

that they which live

should not henceforth live unto themselves,

but unto him which died for them,

and rose again.”

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

So??? Here’s our shot for today. Simply put,

“And as ye would that men should do to you,

do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31

May we remember the sacrifice of others and:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2