Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:16 (KJV).

REFLECT:
There are certain words or phrases whose meanings and actual expressions are running out of vogue these days. This ought not to be so, because such words or phrases carry so much depth of value in their meanings and actual expressions. The kind of values they bring are values that liberate, and encourage us. Values that are wholesome, life-giving, bringing joy and hope. One such word phrase is what we have as the topic of our reflections today— “heartfelt sacrifice.”

A heartfelt sacrifice is a condition of the heart that is borne out of a yielded, surrendered, and committed heart. This is a heart full of awe and wonder for God. A heart of appreciation and gratitude for all God has done in our lives. To sum it all up, it is only a heart that has taken the time to store up good treasures in it that can bring forth the depth of this kind of sacrifice we are talking about today.

For an indebt analysis of the meaning of the phrase “Heartfelt Sacrifice,” and how this applies to us, it may be necessary that we venture into more details. To do this, we will examine both words separately, this will help us have a better understanding of the meaning of the entire phrase.

The word “heartfelt,” means deeply, sincere, unfeigned, honest, from the heart, passionate, kind, genuine, earnest, etc. While “sacrifice” on the other hand means to give up oneself or something valuable, dear, or precious to us, and we do this willingly, voluntarily, without any form of conditions, expectations, or reward in service to or for the pleasure and comfort of another.

Going by the definitions given above we may say that A heartfelt sacrifice is a willing, voluntary, and unconditional service rendered out of a deep, passionate, kind, and genuine motive of the heart. All these could be summed up in one word— LOVE!

Our Bible verse for today draws us into this realm of heartfelt sacrifice or putting it in another way ‘sacrificial love.’ Therefore, going by what our Bible verse is saying to us today, how and why should we show a heartfelt sacrifice? To whom should we render this service?

As believers in Christ Jesus, we have been given a responsibility by God, meaning that God our Heavenly Father expects this from us, which is, to lay down our lives, or give up ourselves willingly to the service or comfort of, (first and foremost to God our Heavenly Father) but most importantly, God wants us to extend this benevolence to our brethren who we relate with in the earth.

The reason why we are expected to render this sacrificial service is that Jesus Himself demonstrated such for us, He already did it for us on the cross. The reason He did it was so that we can have all the comfort and pleasures that the Kingdom of God has to offer. Jesus did this voluntarily and willingly because He loved us with everlasting love. Therefore, in the same way, we must also love our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Giving a heartfelt sacrifice is us bringing ourselves into where Jesus dwells, into a realm of Love. In doing this, just as Jesus we also offer to others all the comfort and pleasures the Kingdom of God has to offer every one of us.

Ebimobo W. Obasi

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:

A Prayer to be a Willing Sacrifice.

FATHER GOD, when Jesus died on the cross, He made a way for me to spend eternity with You. Thank You for making Yourself the model of sacrificial love. Please show me how to live out this love to the people You place in my life. Give me opportunities to serve others from a place of heartfelt sacrifice and help me to do so willingly, voluntarily, with joy and compassion. In JESUS MIGHTY NAME AMEN!