On December 4, 2006, a 19-year- old soldier serving in Iraq saw a
grenade being thrown from a rooftop. Manning the machine gun in the turret of
his Humvee, he tried to deflect the explosive—but it fell inside his vehicle.
He had time to jump to safety. Instead, he threw his body over the grenade in a
stunningly selfless act that saved the lives of four fellow soldiers.
This almost unexplainable act of self-sacrifice may help us understand
why the Bible tells us that there is a kind of love that is more honorable than
having great knowledge or faith( 1 Cor. 13:1-3).
This kind of love can be hard to find—leading the apostle Paul to lament
that more people care for themselves than for the interests of Christ Phil.
2:20-21). That’s why he was so grateful for Epaphroditus, a co-worker who “came
close to death, not regarding his life” in order to serve others (v.30).
If we think we could never put our own life on the line for others,
Epaphroditus shows us the first step with his selfless example. Such love is
neither normal nor common, and it doesn’t come from us. It comes from the
Spirit of God, who can give us the desire and ability to feel for others some
of the inexpressible affection God has for us.
You can measure your love for God
by showing your love for others.
(RBC)
