No Greater Love
“No greater love, has anyone that this: to lay down their life for another,” DP translation of John 15:13.
No Greater Love
You can say the words all you want, but if you are not actively making sacrifices for another person’s benefit and wellbeing, you are not loving at the highest level.
Obviously, the Scripture quoted above is about how Jesus, the only begotten Son of God literally laid down His life for us in a way that would fulfill all of the legal requirements set forth during the creation of the world. The world was made to operate without sin and death. Adam and Eve walked with the perfect and holy Creator in the early morning as the mist rose from the earth. They enjoyed a garden full of wonderful foods and sparkling jewels. In the descriptions, we see that there were many kinds of wildlife. If we dwell on the first couple of chapters in Genesis, we can imagine the scene.
When we look around us now, we know the ravages of sin.
But even if you are not a believer and you think the Holy Bible is a fairy tale, anyone can look at the statement about the greatest demonstration of love and agree that there is no greater love that to sacrifice our own comfort, our own desires, material possessions, time and energy, and that is ultimately the composition our lives.
I’m writing on Memorial Day. There have been many who literally laid down their lives for us and our freedoms. I am forever grateful. There is no question that they demonstrated the greatest love. Our men and women in the military and public service are daily sacrificing for the love of mankind and sometimes without receiving proper recognition or compensation, because it is actually love that drives them. People are people: complex and multifaceted in motives, desires, attitudes and approaches to life and work.
Everyday Love
Is every day love different? If you, like me, grew up unsure of love -what it is and how it works, grasping how that kind of love would be is harder than imagining the Garden of Eden.
Many of us have known child sexual abuse and high adverse childhood experiences or (ACEs). I would venture to say that most people have had some trauma in childhood or teens that stayed with them and no one will be immune to dramatic events in this life for too long. For the ones who grew up with abuse, the perpetrators were most likely the people who should have been their protectors. They should have been the ones to demonstrate sacrifice and that concept of laying down their own desires, not fulfilling evil desires at the expense of children.
Childhood is temporary, after all. I was talking with my husband last night and recalling that we did not drink alcohol when our children were young. We abstained for their sakes. There was some in the house and maybe a few times per year, we’d indulge, but not around them. We worked hard at being present and alert. There have been many regrettable tense times and lots of times that I wish I could go back and behave differently. We provided home education, so we were together most of the time. Mark and I didn’t have many hobbies or activities that would take us away from them either, because we knew that although the days are long, the years are short.
We talked about how grateful we were to have that time with them and how grateful we are to have the time together now. This week, we just celebrated 29 years of marriage. Because of the abuse in my past and his difficulties, we have had our share of hard times. But everyday, we realize that it is every small sacrifice that is the greatest love.
The Greatest Love
I believe the greatest love is that God planned and provided the Way for us to be able to see the Truth and receive eternal Life.
It is that greatest love that compels people to engage in true love. I’m not talking about romance. Romantic love is great, but the excitement isn’t automatic after a while. It isn’t self sustaining. There must be intention involved to keep that kind of love alive, just as any other.
When you are married or if you are in a romantic relationship, commitment is the key. Both parties must be committed to keeping the promises of love. Then, it becomes the greatest, because each person is willing to give up stuff for the other. Romance is easier when security is present. That is what keeps people together best.
Love promotes healthy relationships. When one person is constantly sacrificing and giving up their own needs, desires, or denying that there is an overly controlling or abusive partner that is not love at all. Love is patient and kind, it doesn’t seek it’s own way. It isn’t rude or selfish and it doesn’t mean debasing yourself, giving up all joy.
The greatest love puts the other person first, but not to their own detriment. Parents of young children can make sacrifices for the sake of the children without depriving themselves. Deferred gratification is absolutely needed often. We all need help sometimes. There is never, ever just cause to abuse children. There are so many people who can help, if we need it. Children rely on us. They cannot take care of themselves. We must protect them and provide for them while they are young. They will grow up. Then we will have our lives back.
Live Love
In all of our relationships we can live love. We all get irritated in life. People are never going to be perfect. When we make mistakes, blow up or have a fit, apologize and forgive. Seems simple and it is, but it isn’t easy. It means giving up pride. There may be times when it seems like betrayal, because promises haven’t been kept. Or it may be distraction. God knows we have a tremendous amount of distraction in our lives.
I hope you’ve tolerated me so far in this post. I really hope for you to experience the greatest love in all of your relationships.
Truly, there is no greater love than one person who will lay down their life for another. Every time you experience that or exhibit it, I hope you acknowledge that love and refresh yourself in it. Love is the only propellent of hope.