NOTES for Jo1 3:16

As in his Gospel, the apostle John the Evangelist defines here the true love through Christ's sacrifice, His death for our salvation. So if we accepted this witness, accepted the fact that God's love is manifested to us, then rises naturally the question about our answer to Him. How can we answer to His love? The apostle John answers: love in return, and it should, if it is a true love, - be our sacrifice. It seems everything is clear: He laid down His life for us, we also lay down our life for Him. However John writes something else: our sacrifice will add nothing to God; our sacrifice has a meaning when will bring for those, for whom Christ laid down His life. Therefore we can become copartners of the salvation of the world, partakers of His love.