A Biblical Portrayal of Self Sacrifice Examples
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The Christian life isn't a cake walk filled with easy days and protection from hard decisions. It involves sacrifice, endurance, and in some cases . . . death. It is going through life each day being a living sacrifice and putting away the workings of the flesh to grow spiritually more like Christ.
Perhaps a comparison (and a light comparison since nothing can compare to Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross) is the way a friend lays down his life so others may live. A solider, Marine, Sailor, Airmen, or Coast Guardsman would step into the line of fire and sacrifice their life so others around them may live to see the next day. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NASB) the meaning of love:
“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
As Jesus hung on the cross and suffered for our fate, this was the ultimate testament of love as He cried "It is finished" and the debt was paid for a world that rejected him, nailing him to that cross with cries of "CRUCIFY HIM!" Today is Memorial Day, honoring the fallen heroes that lost their lives so others may live. Although their sacrifice is physical compared to God's supernatural sacrifice, there is a need to remember that liberty in this life and redemption spiritually are costly. Yet, spiritual redemption is an eternal gift that only God could have paid.
Battle Scarred: Self Sacrifice Examples
What makes a hero, a hero? Is it bravery, unwavering courage even in the face of death, or self sacrifice? All the above? Many have lost their lives to preserve liberty. The video below pays tribute to the fallen heroes that gave up their lives so others may live.
Memorial Day Tribute from Champion Forest Baptist Church
In John 13 (NASB), Christ commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them, emphasizing there is no greater love than sacrificial love. He calls them to display the greater testimony among self sacrifice examples.
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another."
A Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airmen, or Coast Guardsmen can be battle scarred physically/emotionally, but Christ's chosen will be spiritually battle scarred for they do not fight what is flesh and blood.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Today marks Memorial Day, but let us not forget the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross 4,000 years ago that made mankind free spiritually forever if they would choose to believe in God's testament on the cross. The movie that closely interprets the Bible as it was intended is "The Passion of the Christ" directed by Mel Gibson. It shows the brutal detail of Christ's life and vividly portrays the detail of Christ's resurrection. God chose to send His son so others may live with Him in eternity if they choose to believe.
"What is the Truth?" video made by Leojasuos on Youtube, all rights belong to Mel Gibson on "Passion of the Christ" movie released in 2014.
"The Meaning of the Cross" by Paul Washer, video by Paul Washer T.V. on Youtube