Self-Sacrifice: Putting Others First as Christ Did

Self-sacrifice means voluntarily setting aside our own rights, plans and desires so that God and others may be blessed. It is not self-punishment, but love in action – the pattern Christ left us, and the mark of every citizen of His Kingdom.

Christ: Our Perfect Example

Christ gave His life for us, and following His example we should forgo our plans and rights so that others may be blessed – more concerned with fulfilling our responsibilities than with having our entitlements met. We should please and build up ‘our neighbour’ for their good by voluntarily setting aside our interests and desires (Rom 15:2; 1 Cor 10:24; Phil 2:3). One purpose of being in a family – both natural and church – is to use its many opportunities to put others first and practise being unselfish.

Do I readily give up my rights for others?

If we try to save our lives we will lose them, but if we use them for Christ and His Kingdom, doing what He has assigned for us, we will be abundantly rewarded – sacrificing in the short-term for long-term benefit (Mk 8:35-37, 10:29-31; Act 20:24; Rev 12:11). And if we have the resources to meet the needs of others but fail to act, how can the love of God be in us? The blessings He has given us are also for the benefit of others, not just personal indulgence (Lk 12:16-21; Jas 2:15-16; 1 Jn 3:16-17).

Jesus made a remarkable promise to all who sacrifice for His Kingdom: “everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life” (Mt 19:29; Mk 10:29-30; Lk 18:29-30). Whatever is surrendered to Him – family ties, home comforts, career ambitions or material security – is never a true loss, but an investment with a guaranteed return, both in this age and in the age to come. God is never in anyone’s debt: what we release for His sake, He restores in far greater measure, often through the rich fellowship of the family of believers, and always with eternal reward.

Believers are to live selflessly as Jesus did. He did not come to be ministered to (served by others) but to minister (serve) and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mt 20:28). Am I known as a ‘second mile person’ – going beyond the call of duty and voluntarily giving of myself (Mt 5:41; Rom 6:13)? Do I know the exhilarating joy of doing a kindness to another knowing they will be unable to repay me? (Lk 14:12-14).

A Lifelong Surrender

After becoming a Christian, our continued existence on earth is to serve Christ, relinquishing our old ways and becoming like Him. He made the ultimate sacrifice for us and uses our circumstances to shape us for eternity (Rom 8:29). Being yielded to Christ is a lifelong process that often involves the death of our dreams – even what we initially believed to be our divine calling – yet as Jesus said, unless the original seed dies it cannot be resurrected in a greater dimension of fruitfulness (Jn 12:24).

Self-sacrifice is a key characteristic of citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven

Jesus Himself said, “If anyone wants to be my disciple they must deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23). Paul testified that this was his experience – “I die daily... I have been crucified with Christ” (1 Cor 15:31; Gal 2:20, 6:14). What is my testimony?

What God Requires – Not Self-Punishment

Throughout history there have been those who endured self-inflicted punishment and physical deprivation in a mistaken effort to appease God or earn His favour. Such measures do not make a person right with God and are not the self-sacrifice acceptable to Him. What God requires is that we love Him with every part of our being, and our neighbour as ourselves (Mk 12:30-31). This requires that we sacrifice our rights and desires in order to fully obey God, besides being willing to set aside our own desires for the good of others (Gal 5:13-14).

This was the way Jesus lived (Mt 26:42; Phil 2:5-8).

Reflection and Application:

Do I readily give up my rights and desires so that others may be blessed?
Am I a ‘second mile person’ – going beyond the call of duty without expecting repayment?
Am I willing for my dreams to die so Christ can bring greater fruitfulness through my life?
Do I use the resources God has given me to meet the needs of others, or only for personal indulgence?