Sacrifice Unpacked
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In the last devotional entitled the “The Love Test“, we heard the story of Amara and Suma; and concluded that the test of love is whether it has the two key elements of sacrifice and forgiveness. Today, we will simply unpack sacrifice, using examples from scripture.
So what does scripture say about sacrifice?
1. Sacrifice is the greatest expression of love.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13)
2. Walking in love means “giving of yourself,” which is sacrifice.
And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2)
3. Sacrifice means service.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)
4. Sacrifice means redeeming others and helping them stay pure and good.
Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:14)
5. Sacrifice means promptly acting to help the powerless
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)
6. Sacrifice means cleansing others consciences, and making pure what is impure and imperfect.
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Hebrews 9:14)
7. Sacrifice means not thinking much of yourself and your reputation, but rather humbling yourself.
Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8 )
8. Sacrifice means going all out, and not holding anything back.
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
In summary, sacrifice means:
- Giving of ourselves
- Serving others
- Redeeming others when they falter
- Helping others stay pure and good
- Promptly helping the powerless
- Cleansing others consciences of what is impure and imperfect
- Laying down your own reputation; and in so doing humbling yourself.
- Going all out, and not holding back anything – for the other.
From all the above, we can conclude that if everyone is perfect, there would not be a need for sacrifice.
The perfect need no sacrifice. Sacrifice is meant for the imperfect.
MEMORY VERSE
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
QUESTIONS
What are you sacrificing for your friends, and significant others?
Do you know that sacrifice is meant for the imperfect?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please help me to know how to sacrifice in my relationships, according to the examples You set for us.
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
Then develop your new relationship with God through your Quiet Time.
Then find a Bible-Believing Church where you can Fellowship with like minded people.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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