1 John 3:16
Memory
By this we experientially know love, because that One on behalf of us laid down His life, and we are obligated on behalf of our brethren to lay down the life (1 John 3:16).
The concept of laying down in this passage comes from the idea of placement. Our life, and thus conduct, is established for the benefit of another. Therefore, it is not about the willingness to die for another, but to live a life that seeks the best for another.
After Christ’s resurrection, His commitment to us did not stop. He now sits at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). In the same manner, our lives are to be spent among the saints as we all seek what is best for each other.
The one who is indifferent to his brother, especially those claiming to love God, is neither loving God nor living by faith. This one is no better than a murderer (1 John 3:15). How can we say we love God and ignore a brother who has a need that we have the means to meet (1 John 3:17)? This is not feeding those who refuse to work, or casting pearls before swine—giving to unbelievers that which belongs to the saints. If a man is not willing to work, then he is not to eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
When we dedicate our lives to the brethren as Christ has for us, fornication, adultery, uncleanliness, rotten speech, covetousness, lying, pride of biological life, independence from God, or any other work of the flesh, influence from Satan, or method of the world system, will not even be named among us as a description of our conduct (1 Corinthians 5:1). Truly, one who conducts his life on behalf of other saints shows through his actions that he is a disciple of Christ and that he loves God (1 John 4:20).