Remembering a beloved sister and friend, Kimberly Ludeke 1968 - 2011
Jhn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This is from a study I did a while back, after listening to so many saying that we need to "die to self" and stopping to ask myself if I really understood what that means, I found that I had what I now call a "Peter" understanding of it...Let me see if I can explain,
We are crucified with our Lord and we do "die to self" but I think the words that the Lord used for this dieing is to "lay down" our life...
Jhn 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Jhn 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
What does it mean to be crucified with Him...to walk with Him, in Him and Him in you...to do the things He does...
Jhn 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Jhn 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
Jhn 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Again:
Jhn 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
This is what I call my "Peter understanding"
Jhn 13:37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
Jhn 13:38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
For the three times Peter denied our Lord...the Lord also asked him three times "do you love me"
I don't see Peter denying the Lord as something he failed at, he loved the Lord and was willing to lay down his life to prove that love, But there was still more for Peter to understand at that time...
What did Peter not understand?
Jhn 13:37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
The Lord does not ask us to lay down our lives for HIS SAKE...He ask us to love the world as God so loved the world and lay down our life for each other's sake... He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:
1Jo 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.
Hugs' and Blessings for a beautiful week!
Please visit Charlotte and Ginger for more Sunday morning inspirations.
That post really has me thinking and reevaluating some of my thoughts. Thanks so much for the nudge to delve deeper. Have a blessed day.
ReplyDeleteCatlyn, He does call us to humble ourselves and serve others, and in serving to put their needs before our own. Thanks so much for sharing your study with us and thank you for your visit.
ReplyDeleteTake care and God bless.
These are all good scriptures to ponder. They are not easy to do. Without the Holy Spirit, I think they would be impossible. The beautiful rose picture is so nice a tribute to your friend. Thank you for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte