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I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. – John 10:11

 

Jesus taught us that the ultimate act of love is to lay down our lives for others. In fact, Jesus stated, “The Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may have it back again” (John 10:17).

People who consider the needs of others ahead of their own are true shepherds in the spirit of Jesus. On the other hand, people with hireling spirits are concerned only for what relates to their own well-being.

Paul said, “I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare” (Philippians 2:20). The true love of Christ is defined in 1 John 3:16: “We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.”

Just as David abandoned his own safety and went to rescue Keilah (1 Samuel 23:2), we must abandon our own self-interests and begin to lay down our lives for others. We will not lose our lives; we will take them up again!

2020-12-31T10:58:56-07:00

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. – John 10:11

 

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2020-12-31T10:53:11-07:00

“But what has he done?” Jonathan demanded. “Why should he be put to death?” Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan, intending to kill him. So at last Jonathan realized that his father was really determined to kill David. – 1 Samuel 20:32-33

Envy blinds us to the truth. Jonathan pleaded with his father to spare David’s life, reminding him that David had done him nothing but good. Totally persuaded that David stood in the way of his son’s ruling Israel, however, Saul cursed and insulted Jonathan.

The Pharisees also were blinded by envy to the reality of the blind man’s healing. They refused to believe that he had ever been blind and then refused to believe that Jesus had performed the miracle. They stubbornly refused to acknowledge that Jesus was anything but a sinner, even if He had performed the miracle (John 9:24). Jesus answered, saying, “I have come to judge the world. I have come to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind” (John 9:39).

You will never convince those who are envious of the work of God that your motives are genuine or that God has truly performed a miracle. They will reason it away, insult you, and may even throw you out (John 9:34). They may remain blind, but one thing you will know: “I was blind, and now I can see!” (v. 25).

2020-05-17T00:00:00-06:00
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