What Do You Sacrifice? :: Deeper Devotion

We had communion at my church this morning and I found myself meditating on the sacrifice Jesus made for me by coming to earth and dying on the cross for sins that He didn’t commit. He lived a perfect life and died because of the imperfect life I continue to live. This was the ultimate sacrifice.

This afternoon I have been thinking about the sacrifices I do (and don’t) make because I have Jesus in my life. It was Paul who said, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:7). Paul was doing something that I often forget I am supposed to be doing as well: namely obeying our Lord, Jesus Christ.

• Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it (Matthew 10:39)
• The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field (Matthew 13:44).
• Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21)
• And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Mark 8:34).
• And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him (Luke 5:11).
• Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him (John 12:25-26).

Paul followed the example of Jesus and commanded us to as well. This is the thrust of Philippians 2:1-11. In this Paul says, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (2:4).

Kristie and I had our first little girl last September (Grace Elizabeth). I have had to greatly sacrifice my time, my grades, and my hobbies to be a godly father to her and to be a godly husband to Kristie. This seems like such a small sacrifice to make considering Christ’s sacrifice for me. I wonder, how much more is Christ calling us to sacrifice if we would just take the time to listen to His voice?

What have you had to sacrifice lately for the sake of Christ? Encourage us by leaving a response below.

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