John 15:13 - No Greater Love

There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.

John 15:13

How do we "lay down our lives for our friends"? This is another phrase that is so often quoted that I had to google just to be able to wrap my mind around how this can be practically applied. Yes, Jesus laid down his life for us, so we should lay down our lives for our friends. In the verse right before this, Jesus says, "Love each other in the same way I have loved you." Unless we somehow find ourselves in the midst of a zombie apocalypse or The Hunger Games, I am not sure how I would end up following the literal meaning of this by physically dying for my friends and family like Jesus did for us.

Our laying down of our lives ends up looking a lot different than physical death, but it's still ... hard. Seeking to emulate the One who was willing to lay down His life to make a relationship right is a tall order.

Am I able to approach my friends with the selfless love of Jesus?

I've been sitting here typing and deleting a lot of answers to this question that, to me, all sound just, too ... generic.

I obviously can't do this. Even at my best, I still have ME in mind. For me, for any of us, living a life of sacrifice is going to come down to a work of the Holy Spirit empowering us to do what we really can't.

So.... list format here... random ideas... freestyle brainstorming... GO!

What can I do to lay down my life for my friends?

• Defer to others in the matter of preference.
• Your opinion does not always have to win.
• What does my friend need (food, clothing, a hug, a good sound kick in the butt)? Am I able to supply this? Am I willing to supply this?
• Do I seek first to understand my friends before I make myself understood?
• Do I forgive my friends?
• Do I have friends that are no longer friends because of one thing they said to me? Do I need to reconcile with those friends?
• Do I pray for my friends?
• Do I encourage my friends?

Obviously, a lot more could go here since Jesus's capacity for sacrificing Himself, showing  unguarded compassion, and forgiving sin are completely endless.

To become like Him, I have to die to myself...

Reference: Laying Down Your Life for Others - InTouch Ministries