What It Means to Lay Down Your Life

Citing the example of Jesus, who laid down his life for humankind's salvation, John urges us to follow his example and be willing to die for others.

We cannot die for others for the same reason Jesus did—the salvation of sinners—no person can die to atone for their sins. However, John is speaking about the sacrifice we may be called to make for others. The call to lay down our lives may be rare, and it might not be our calling at all, but there are many ways to live out the spirit of that verse.

It may involve choosing a vegetarian diet when sharing a room with someone who is a vegetarian for religious reasons. I know evangelists adapted to Jain food when they rented Jain property for their ministry.

It could be about showing reverence to the printed Bible as Holy Scripture. While travelling with others, leaving the Bible on the seat unattended, flipping the pages casually, may offend Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims who treat their holy books with great reverence.

Dying for others also involves making small and large sacrifices in our lives. I know a woman (now quite advanced in age) who, a few months into her marriage and before having children, discovered that her husband had contracted an incurable illness. She remained married to him until his death, which took many years of caring for him. At the same time, there was another believer who abandoned his young wife and two children when she met with a fatal accident and became wheelchair-bound.

Our call to lay down life for others may be different. But the call remains, as being part of becoming more like the one who laid down his life for what we could not achieve by our own strength—the salvation of our souls.