“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
—John 15:13
John Bunyan, the author of the classic book, Pilgrims Progress, said, “You haven’t lived today until you’ve done something for someone who cannot pay you back.”
That is such a powerful truth, and few people in America understand its meaning as well as those who serve in the U.S. military.
Since America’s struggle for independence from Britain to today’s global war against terrorism, countless men and women have answered duty’s call. They have performed a tremendous service that cannot be repaid. And untold numbers have made the ultimate sacrifice… giving their life’s blood for the cause of freedom.
Maybe you are the loved one or a friend of one of these who has died for our country. If so, you, too, have made a sacrifice that many cannot even imagine. But Jesus recognized just such sacrifice in John 15:13 when he said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
This Fourth of July, let’s remember the courageous men and women who have given their lives to ensure our freedom… or to give the precious gift of freedom to another nation.
May their patriotism and their love for God and country inspire us to do something selfless for our fellow man.
“YOU HAVEN’T LIVED UNTIL YOU’VE DONE SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE WHO CANNOT PAY YOU BACK.”
