14 THE FAITHFUL READER self-sacrifice, great love for humanity is revealed. He lays down his life for the life of his friends. Christ modeled his love for us in his self-sacrifice. Believers are to do the same. This command is not easy to follow. However, the command also accompanies a previous command in John 15, to abide in Christ. It is because of the love and self-sacrifice of Christ for believers, that we are enabled to do the same. Jesus uses the imagery of a vine and its branches. Only by abiding in the vine is bearing fruit possible. Believers are to abide in Christ in order to bear fruit and love one another as commanded. His love begets our love for one another. The self-sacrifice of Christ also frees believers from the fear of death. Second Corinthians 5:1 explains that believers currently live in an earthly tent which will be destroyed. However, once it is destroyed, believers have an eternal house in heaven. Because Christ has defeated death, believers will live with him for eternity, even after their physical bodies die. First Peter 1:3-5 states, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Believers are guarded and protected in this inheritance. Therefore, death need not be feared because of the sure salvation to come. Until this time, the command remains, to love others and model love through self-sacrifice.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=