John 15:9-17 NLT
"I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love. [10] When you obey My commandments, you remain in My love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in His love. [11] I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! [12] This is My commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. [13] There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. [14] You are My friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are My friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. [16] You didn't choose Me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using My Name. [17] This is My command: Love each other.
On this Remembrance weekend we read of so many heroic stories of those who have given their lives for their country.
Many will have stark memories etched into their souls of comrades in arms who fell at their sides in battle.
Many still carry the wounds and scars of war and live in the post trauma of it.
It's time to remember Jesus' words:
There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.
The sad fact is that evil has to be confronted and fought or it will overwhelm us.
The spectre of war is enveloping the globe again and, even now, there are those putting their lives on the line in defence of freedom.
We should remember and be grateful.
Of course the greatest act of giving their lives was Jesus' laying down His Life for us so we can live eternally in peace and freedom from sin.
For that we should be grateful each and every day.
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