The Sacrifice Of Love

I often look back in amazement that I ever got married. More so than that, I look back in disbelief that my wife chose me. While I could fill a thousand pages with reasons why I knew she would be the perfect bride, I can't think of a single thing that made me worthy to be her groom. She chose to invest her heart in me, even when I had little to offer in return. Her affection was, and continues to be, selfless; a testimony of the love of Christ that so richly dwells within her. Likewise, I am reminded often that there is absolutely nothing we can offer Christ in return for His love. Even our loyalty and faith depart in the presence of worldly opposition; yet Christ, knowing that His sacrifice would never produce a personal return, surrendered His life upon the cross, freely. It was selfless; a testimony of His own love toward sinful man. It was this love that Paul was trying to communicate to the believers in Rome when he wrote, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)." The sacrifice of Christ upon the cross illustrated a love that had never before been revealed; God died not for a righteous man, nor a good man, rather, God died for the worst of men, He died for those that defiantly opposed Him with a life of Sin. There is nothing we have that we can offer Him in return; still He invests all that He has in us. That is the sacrifice of Love; the example God left for us through the gospel message. It was this selfless example that convicted Paul to write, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:1-2)," and "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her… (Ephesians 5:25)." God did not love us so we would love Him in return. He is not in need of our worship or praise; He is not lonely or lacking in self-esteem. Nor does God need to be the center of our lives; for God is the creator and sustainer of all life (Colossians 1:16-17). God's free gift of salvation was an investment from which only His creation would profit. It offered no personal return and therefore was the ultimate example of selfless love. This is why it is called the sacrifice. Christ died on the cross because "God so loved the world (John 3:16);" and the purpose of His death was that "whomever would believe in Him would not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16)." This was the only reason given. God became flesh and died for His creation. Here is the lesson we learn. In love, it is often "give even when there's nothing to take." Sometimes, it's "I'll meet you all the way," even when you don't have the strength to go half. Most of all, love is a sacrifice. It is an investment that yields a profit for those in whom you invest. It is given freely and at times takes everything we have left to give. It is this love that Christ has shown the world, it is this love that my wife has shown me, and it is this love that we should spend the rest of our lives investing in others. This is the sacrifice of love. [mp]Copyright © 2005Michael D'UrbanoAll rights reservedThe Modern Papyrus