“Why don’t people ask us about our hope? The answer is probably that we look as if we hope in the same things they do. Our lives don’t look like they are on the Calvary road, stripped down for sacrificial love, serving others with the sweet assurance that we don’t need to be rewarded in this life.” – John Piper.
We are immersed in a culture that believes love feels right in the moment but is difficult to sustain or enjoy in the long run. This view is a far cry from the Biblical view of sacrificial love.
The word sacrifice implies giving something that costs the giver in terms of talent, time, treasure, or even ourselves. It isn’t popular, and it promises to be painful, but it is the foundation of the Christian faith. God demonstrated the ultimate example of love in the sacrificial death of Jesus on our behalf so that we might have life. This new life allows us to establish and build relationships built upon a lasting quality not found in any other source.
If Jesus sacrificed for us, shouldn’t we sacrifice for others? The bottom line for us is that love is sacrifice—sacrifice for the benefit of another. Because our culture is all about self, sacrifice is not a popular word. Jesus reminds us that love is more than a word. It is an act, an attitude, part of the will. Reflecting Christ’s sacrificial love in our relationships requires a willingness to step out of our comfort zones, to extend grace to those who may not deserve it, and to seek reconciliation and restoration in broken relationships. It means being patient, kind, and compassionate, even when faced with difficult circumstances or challenging individuals.
Sacrificial love means putting aside our selfish desires and putting the needs of others first. Sacrificial love seems daunting as it goes against our natural inclinations. No matter how intentional and mindful we try to be, the truth is we are incapable of living like this on our own. Because Jesus knew this, in yet another act of love, He sent the Holy Spirit to help us. He enables and empowers us to take up our cross daily, follow Him, and sacrifice our love to others, just as He did for us.
As we rely on God’s strength and offer our love, let’s not lose sight of the eternal impact our sacrifice can have. He sacrificed so we could be with Him for all of eternity. Could our sacrifice lead others to join Him in eternity as well? This is certainly worth the sacrifice.
God demonstrated the ultimate example of love in the sacrificial death of Jesus on our behalf so that we might have life. This new life allows us to establish and build relationships built upon a lasting quality not found in any other source. The unconditional love of God—Christ in us—is the source of how we are to love and serve others sacrificially.
Discussion Questions:
- What does it cost to love others sacrificially?
- Why is it worth it?