THE SACRIFICE OF LOVE

DAY 21 Winning Edge Devotions

ROM. 5: 6” For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

I still don’t get it. I have heard it all my life. I teach it. I believe it. But I still have a hard time grasping the concept of Jesus dying for me. He chose to die for me. He did it with a motivation of love!

One reason I struggle to grasp this is because it so foreign to me. By nature, I am a very selfish person. I really do not understand sacrifice and love for anyone other than myself. To give up something for someone else is not natural.

If my children cause me to lose sleep I am grouchy, If someone takes up my lunch time, I am inconvenienced. Make me late or hold me up and I am a bear of a person to live with. I am soooo weak. I fully get Romans 5:6. I struggle understanding how Jesus could give such a sacrifice for me. I would like to think I would die for my kids, it is the noble thing to do. I pray to God that He would allow me to suffer before my wife would have to. I would lay down my life for my wife.

But if someone asked me to give my life for that dirty, bummed out man on the corner of the street? NO WAY! Would I give one of my children for a drug addict? FORGET IT!

But that is what God did for me! I am a bum, a loser, a drifter compared to the holiness and perfection of Christ. It is too much for me to comprehend!

What impact should this have on me? For a long time I felt a little guilty that it took that much of a sacrifice for me to be forgiven. But God’s love has turned my guilt into gratitude. My faith now allows me to accept this great gift and rejoice in it. But it is a very precious thing!

I should also now be motivated to sacrifice for others. I believe that our generation knows little about that king of sacrifice. What are we willing to give up to help others. Can I give of my time and talents to better someone else?

I find that I am very generous with things that really don’t cost me much. Rarely, do I give to where it really takes an effort or a sacrifice. I need to meditate more on what Christ has done and see if I can look for ways to sacrifice a little.

As a coach, I want to inspire my team to sacrifice. It begins with giving up selfishness and learning to give to the team. To the extent that we can learn to do that, will be a big part of our ability to become great.

I now challenge myself to sacrifice for God’s team. What can I give today? Do I see a need that I can meet? Is there some time I can give? Am I using my budget to serve? If Jesus gave His all, can’t I give just a little more?

Lord Jesus- thank you- thank you- thank you- I am overwhelmed by Your love and sacrifice. Keep me mindful of how I can learn to give a little more. Not to earn Your favor, but out of a heart of thankfulness!