Many people interpret this verse to mean that you must do as Jesus did in the sense of actually dying for others. This is not the crux of what this verse means (although in rare occasions, God might call someone to die so that someone else could know Jesus). Laying down your life for others means putting them first and making their need more important than your own. The verse is about being selfless and sacrificial in your actions towards others rather than selfish.

In another verse in that same chapter, we read: "These things I command you, that you love one another" (John 15:17). By seeking to show love to our friends, family and those who also know Jesus, we reveal love to those who don`t know Him. Our love bears testimony of His life.

In John chapter 13, we find the passage where Jesus washes His disciples` feet. He tells us that this is an example of how we should treat one another: "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you" (John 15:15). Again, this does not mean we need to wash people`s feet (although God could ask that of us). Washing feet in those days was part of the culture since people wore sandals and their feet became dirty after walking. What it means for us today is that God wants us to serve other people, to honor and esteem them above ourselves.  When we do this, we show God`s love and are laying down our life for others.