John 15:13 Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. I. CHRIST DEMONSTRATES HIS LOVE TO MAN BY DYING. Here He states — 1. The utmost limit of human love. Nothing is felt by man to be more precious than his life. Everything he has he will sacrifice for this. A love that will lead to the sacrifice of this is love in its highest human measure. 2. Christ's love transcended this limit, He laid down His life for His enemies. There is nothing in history approaching this. This transcendent love is — (1) The love of compassion. There could be neither gratitude nor esteem in it, for the subjects are all wicked. (2) The love of disinterestedness. He had nothing to gain by it; for His glory and happiness admitted of no entrancement. II. MAN DEMONSTRATES HIS LOVE BY OBEYING. Surely all men ought to love Christ, and when they do they will obey. This obedience will be marked by — 1. Heartiness. 2. Cheerfulness. When this love is obedience to Christ is the highest gratification of the soul. When the heart is enlarged it runs in the way of Christ's commandments. 3. Entireness. Love does not sort duties, or weigh or measure them. Whatever the object wishes shall be done, even unto death. Conclusion: The subject — (1) Supplies the test of Christian piety. Christian piety is not ritualism, however becoming; not a theology, however Scriptural; it is obedient love to Christ. 2. Indicates the true method of preaching — to so exhibit Christ's love as to awaken the love of human souls. (Swain.) Parallel Verses KJV: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.WEB: Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. |
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