Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13, Kjv
David Livingstone was a Scottish missionary who spent thirty-three years in the heart of Africa. He endured much suffering as he sacrificed to spread the Gospel and open the continent to missionaries.
In spite of all this, he didn’t consider this a sacrifice but a privilege. He maintained, “I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk, when we remember the great sacrifice which Jesus made when He left His Father’s throne on high to give Himself for us.”
Sacrifice is so important that, Jesus, the greatest example of sacrifice, said in
Luke 9:24, NIV, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”
It is therefore impossible to live the Christian life without this privilege of sacrifice.
Here are 3 things you should know about sacrifice:
#1. Sacrifice is pleasing to God.
The Bible says in
Hebrews 13:16, “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
As believers, we are encouraged to do good to others even though they don’t always return the favour. To our Father in heaven, this is a sacrifice with which He is well pleased. As believers, we are encouraged to do good to others even though they don’t always return the favour. To our Father in heaven, this is a sacrifice with which He is well pleased.
#2. Sacrifice implies great cost and loss.
Like King David illustrated in 2 Samuel 24:24 NKJV, when he said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing,” our sacrifices to God must not be easy, but costly. When we feel the pain of our sacrifice, we know that we are really giving up something important.
#3. Sacrifice is not a one time thing.
Sacrifice is a continuous act. Scripture says in Romans 12:1 NKJV, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Our sacrifice of living for Jesus on a daily basis in spite of the temptations, trials, and tragedies of life is continuous, not a one time thing.
Precious one, sacrifice is a part of the Christian faith. And we must sacrifice our lives daily as we live for Christ Jesus.
Prayer : Heavenly Father, help me present my body as a living sacrifice, pleasing to You and useful for Your cause in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Related Topics : Sacrifices, Charles Agyinasare, Charles Agyinasare,
