16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 1 John 3:16-17 NLT
If we want to be successful in love, we have to be willing to sacrifice. We need to live each moment of each day by the motto “It’s not about me.” This is radical thinking because the prevailing modern attitude is that it’s all about me. There’s proof everywhere we look: our divorce rate, our crime rate, the state of our country. All scream, “It’s all about me.” A selfish attitude is a guarantee of a life of misery. The biggest smiles on Christmas morning are on the faces of those who have learned that lesson. Real joy comes in putting others first. It’s the miracle of sacrifice.
Is John telling us we need to give our lives like Jesus did because of the need of others, or because it’s the secret to joyous living? I think in some strange twist it is all about us. We need to be needed. Sacrifice is built into the renewed man just as selfishness is an essential part of the lost. The frustrations we see in church arises from the failure of the church to teach sacrifice to its members. It, not big buildings or super programs, is the reason for church to exist: to be the giving body of Christ.
Be a great lover. Sacrifice and be blessed.
Nick
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