Posts Tagged ‘ Sacrifice ’
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Matthew 16:24, NASB
Christianity is not a simple “Just believe, and all is good” faith. Jesus expects us to deny ourselves and look more like Him, to turn aside from sin and sacrificially love others.
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Luke 6:35, ESV
Life is not about “me”. Life is about “them” to the glory of God.
The early Christians were known for their sacrifices for others.
whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
1 John 2:6, ESV
How did Jesus walk?
He was a servant, was a teacher and defender of God’s Word, and gave sacrificially to the point of death, and all through the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of the Father.
How are we to live?
The same way.
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Romans 13:10, ESV
The love of Christ in us is not merely sacrificial, it is selfless, considerate, patient, and truthful.
Yes, it can be difficult living all of this out. But, in many ways, it gets easier to understand and do as you love them.
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
1 John 3:16, ESV
Our greatest example showed true love: sacrificing everything for the good of others.
How well are you doing this?
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV
We tend to get too focused on what others do to us or do not do for us.
Instead, we should be more concerned with how we can serve others.
Sacrificially.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me
Galatians 2:20, ESV
We need to give up our rights to anything just as He gave up His rights as God to give us life.
Stop demanding and expecting Him and others to do what we think we deserve. Start giving all of you to love others for His glory.
