This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him-how does God’s love reside in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.  1 John 3:16-18 CSB

Today we commemorate those brave young men and women of our nation’s armed forces who lay down their lives for us. They gave their all to give us freedom. The life of a soldier is a true calling. I thank God that He has called some to put themselves in a position to give their lives, if necessary, to protect those of us who were not called to do so.

God called Jesus to leave His heavenly home and come down to earth to die to free us from the bondage of sin and death. Jesus answered that call. We know He didn’t want to because He prayed for God to remove this cup from Him if possible. We also know that He continued that prayer by saying, “Not my will but thine be done.”

Jesus was willing to do what it took to save us, even if it took Him being crucified. Jesus gave all He had so we could have freedom if we choose to have freedom. It’s a choice we must make.

In John 15:12-14, Jesus said, “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

Jesus didn’t say, “Hey why don’t you try this.” He said, ‘This is my command’.” He wasn’t merely making a suggestion; He was commanding that we love one another as He has loved us. He gave His life for us.

Are you willing to give your life? Some of you are reading this and thinking, “Yes, I will give my life.” Soldiers, police officers, and firefighters go to work each day prepared to give their life to save others.” There are many brave young men and women who answer that calling and thank God they do.

I’m not talking about your physical life; however, I’m talking about your spiritual life. Are you prepared to lay down your sin for Him? Jesus said in Luke 9:23 that if any man wanted to follow Him, He must deny Himself. This means that those little pet sins that you just can’t put down have to go. You have to put them down and follow Jesus.

In this same passage, He said that if we want to follow Him, we must take up our cross. This means total commitment to Him. Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:4 that no soldier in active service concerns himself with everyday affairs, so that he may please his commanding officers.

Taking up our cross means a commitment to Christ without worrying about all that is going on in the world. It means we must understand that we are committing to obeying His commandments even if it means we lose some friends or family members. We serve one another and love one another as He loves us.

It may even mean that we are persecuted for His sake even until death. Are you prepared to give all? I always say Christianity is not for sissies. It’s not for the weak. We don’t even have the strength as human beings to be Christian, we must rely on God’s strength to pull us through (Philippians 4:13).

The Old Testament teaches there is no sacrifice without bloodshed or loss of life. Are you willing to lose your life to save it (Luke 9:24)? Are you willing to give all to serve God and serve others?

Are you willing to answer the call God has for you?

Thank God many brave young men and women have done this so we might be free. But you will never experience true freedom until you surrender your life to Christ.

He gave His all for you, can you do the same for Him?

Have a happy Memorial Day!