If we are deeply moved by the sight of his love for us, it detaches our hearts from other would-be saviors. We stop trying to redeem ourselves through our pursuits and relationships, because we are already redeemed. We stop trying to make others into saviors, because we have a Savior.
Christmas is pretty slow for the Women in the Church at least from a church responsibility perspective. I hope that you are finding time to slow down and enjoy the holidays.
Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. . . . I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”—“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”—“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.—Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.
John 13:1; John 17:9, 10, 15, 16; John 15:9; John 15:13, 14; John 13:34; Phil. 1:6; Eph. 5:25, 26
