Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Do you ever feel a struggle drawing you toward a selfish nature? I sure do. In a culture that says you come first in all things, it can be hard to see it any other way.

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We all struggle with selfishness in some way, and I think that deep down, something is telling us that there has to be a better way. But how can we possibly figure out what that better way is? I mean, there has to be an answer somewhere. Between self-help books, education, Google, social media… someone must know what that answer is, right?!

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What about if the answer lies with the One who created you and me? The One who knows not just what makes us tick, but who knows the hearts and minds of each person on this planet – past, present, and future. The One from whom love comes must know a better way! And he does. When we look to Scripture, we see that sacrifice is the way of Jesus. Our key verse today says that we should offer through Him a continual sacrifice.

Sacrifice is arguably the opposite of selfishness – an importance placed on someone else over one’s own self, to give something up for the sake of others. Jesus’ love for us is many great things, but among the most seemingly special is this: his love is sacrificial.  

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If you know the gospel, then you already know this. But just in case, I’ll sum it up: Jesus, God in the flesh, loves you so much that he came as a pure and perfect sacrifice to save you from death and bring you into life. He literally sacrificed himself for you and for me. And just like Jesus leads by example, so can we.

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If we know that there is a better way, and Jesus demonstrated this in the most meaningful way possible, then how do we respond? Well, it seems like we have two options: keep living our selfish lives and wonder why things just don’t turn out right…or make the sacrifice of Christ real in our own lives by loving as he does.

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How can you live and love sacrificially today? Practically, this might look a number of different ways, ranging from running an errand for a friend to laying your life down for a complete stranger. And although we can’t do it on our own, through Jesus’ strength we may even sacrifice by sticking around for a hard conversation when we really want to walk away, or choosing to forgive when you’ve been deeply wronged. Whatever it may be, we can be more like Christ, living out the sacrificial love that he first showed us, by trading in this idea of a “me first” life for one modeled after Him.

God, I thank you that you define love – not just in word but in action, too. Thank you for teaching me what love is through a sacrifice so great, I can barely fathom it. I never deserved it, but you love me anyway. Please show me how you are calling me to sacrifice today. Help me to see and love others the way you do. May it be all for your glory and for none of my own. Amen!