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"We also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

Text: 1 John 3:16

KNOWLEDGE AND FAITH

Where there is no knowledge of God faith will not arise. But where there is good knowledge of God then faith in Him is more than possible. Our faith in God can deepen as we increase in our knowledge of the Lord.

FAITH AND LIFE

While faith is a treasure we must not take for granted, we must bear in mind that faith was never meant to exist on its own. Faith and life are inextricably related. Our faith in God must be reflected in our life. This was the point that the Apostle John was trying to bring across to his readers as he wrote about knowing the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.
And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
1 John 3:16

1. “And”

a) This is a simple conjunction.

b) Its purpose is to suggest a connection.

i) A natural connection

ii) A logical connection

iii) A spiritual connection

2. “And we also ought”

a) The pronoun “we” was used emphatically here.

b) The reference is of course to “good and faithful brethren”.

c) The word “ought”:-

i) This suggests responsibility.

ii) It actually hints at the idea of an “obligation”.

3. “To lay down our lives for the brethren”

a) Jesus spoke to His disciples about great love.

b) No greater love may be exhibited than when a man lays down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

c) This was John’s application of a true understanding of Christ’s love.

d) This is a great challenge indeed!

i) To lay down our lives for the cause of Christ.

ii) To lay down our lives for the sake of our brethren.

iii) This was certainly exemplified in the lives of the Apostles of Christ.