1 John 3:16

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

(v16, NIV)

John has been talking about love. We are not to love the world. Instead, the command is to love one another. The father loves us with a love so great. He loved us so much that we can be called children of God. We are not to hate one another. Do not be like Cain who murdered his brother. Love one another.

What is this love and how are we to love? Jesus Christ is our example of love. We are to look to Jesus to find out what love is and how to show love to others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing,

taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

(Ephesians 2:5-11, NIV)

Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. In the same way, we are to lay down our lives for our brothers. Love one another and look to Jesus as he shows us how to love.