NOTES for Jo1 3:16
As in his Gospel, the apostle John the Theologian here defines true love through Christ's sacrifice, His death for our salvation. Let us think about this: if we have accepted this testimony, agreed that God's love has been shown to us, then the question of our gratitude to Him naturally arises. How can we answer His love? The apostle John answers: with reciprocal love, and if it is true love, it must be our sacrifice. Everything seems clear: He laid down His life for us; we lay down our life for Him. However, John writes something different: our sacrifice will add nothing to God; it makes sense to bring our sacrifice for the sake of the same ones for whose sake Christ gave His life. In this way we can become co-workers in the salvation of the world, partakers of His love.