No Greater Love is there than to Lay Down our Life for a Friend—R Fritz
Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice in his death, where love for us was shown. We, on the other hand, must show that same love through action. We should do acts of love or put people first every day if possible. Jesus came to earth to show us many things, where love comes first, as well as one of the greatest commandments. John 15:12-14 says, and this is Jesus speaking “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” Friends is what Jesus called those who obeyed him. That also goes for our friends, people who think about us and are thinking about when we need help or need something. That can be the person to speak to when we need to hear a positive word when we are going through something in our lives. Their timing in knowing when we need something comes from the Holy Spirit. They are praying for us and praying for those whom the Holy Spirit puts on their heart.
When we sacrifice our lives for somebody, that is the greatest love. It is putting somebody or their needs before us. That shows how much we love them. This kind of love shows we belong to Jesus with humility and selfless love. Just because somebody does not show that same love to us does not mean we walk away or treat them without respect. What I have found is that if we treat somebody with love and respect for two weeks, we will change their outlook. I have shown this to people many times to change people in their lives. Two weeks is just the start down a road, the narrow road, where it becomes the norm for us following Jesus. Life is tough when we veer off the road without Jesus; we start to have problems. Our relationship with the Holy Spirit is what gives us the tools to overcome that spiritual battle we are in. When we fight in the flesh, we lose the battle because it is a spiritual battle. Contrary to what we think, most of what goes on in our lives is spiritual, and we have not learned to fight the battle. That is why the issues we have do not change because our relationship with the Holy Spirit is lacking, and we either do not listen or have not moved our relationship to a new level. Our decisions every day make our day good or bad, or successful, depending on what we need to do. What our goals are and whether they are met each day depends on our relationship with the Holy Spirit. I have had days where they started badly, but by the end of the day, everything came together to accomplish what I needed to get done; that was not because of me, that was God putting his hand in my life and helping. Luke 9:23-25 says with Jesus speaking, “And he said to them, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.” We should start our day with prayer, then keep praying and talking to the Holy Spirit throughout the day. That means we are engaged with the Holy Spirit all day.
When we see people struggling, what do we do? The answer should be to talk to them and see where we can help. Sometimes it is speaking of things we have gone through, then we can give them some options to see if our wisdom will work for them. There are so many people going through things, just looking to talk to somebody, but do not know who that person is. That is where the Holy Spirit comes in, who knows who we can help and will take us to the place to meet up with this person. What we do not understand is that our prayers are answered, not as we think they will be answered, but as God decides to answer in whatever way he thinks best. The Holy Spirit sends people to be with us, or these people could give us answers or become friends, but the Holy Spirit knows exactly what we need. There have been so many times when I needed something physical or needed answers, when the Holy Spirit brought somebody into my life. Sometimes angels are sent, as I have had them a few times. I have had people come out of nowhere. One time, I ran out of gas three hundred yards from a gas station, and a person running pushed my car to the gas station. When I got there, I said to this person, “What can I get you?” They said, “Nothing.” A few seconds later, they were gone. There are other times angels were sent, one time after I asked God to show me an angel. Hebrews 1:14 says, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Ministering spirits are angels sent by the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Angels serve God and are sent by him; they have a purpose where they do exactly as God tells them.
The Holy Spirit is in control if we let him and live in us, which is love. That love from the Holy Spirit directs us and moves us, using our feelings to do things for other people. When we see somebody struggling or somebody with medical or mental issues, we need to function as the Holy Spirit directs. Let us obey the Holy Spirit and be the person God meant for us to be. Let us lay down our lives for our friends. God Bless.
