John says in his epistle that we, too, should give even at great cost to ourselves: We should “lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16). In the context of Jesus’ sacrifice, John’s challenge to us seems overwhelming and impossible — the ultimate act of love. But John’s application is very practical and down-to-earth: He asks that we share with our brother in need. However, we are to do this out of pity and compassion, not duty. We are to put our love into practice by meeting our brother’s need — even at great cost to ourselves.
