Sacrifice
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” –Philippians
2:3-8
In January 1956, five men laid down their lives to bring the message of Jesus to those who lived without hope. They went to bring the message of Jesus to the Wadani people in Ecuador. Their obedience to following God’s call cost them everything. They lay dead, killed by spears. Their sacrifice inspired people all over the world. Steve, the son of Nate Saint, (one of the five who were killed) often speaks about allowing God to write your story. “When we let Him, God uses the chapters of our lives to write His epic story; the timeless story of His longing to reconcile the world to Himself (Steve Saint: End of the Spear).”
Passion and Compassion
Personal sacrifice expresses the passion of the heart. We make sacrifices every day-for areas such as work, health, sports teams, hobbies, and friendship. Passion is the Latin word to suffer. Passion or willingness to suffer, drive humans to extraordinary achievements. However, Paul calls the believer to put others above self: passion becomes compassion. Taking care of each other reveals that we were created through generosity. Just as Christ did not pursue equality, so the disciple is called to put others above self.
The issue: Oh Lord, why I am so selfish, concerned with my own desires, feelings, and needs?
We were wonderfully made in His image; however, human nature is corrupted by sin and self-centeredness. Instead of putting others first, we put ourselves on the throne: Better to take care of Number 1. Humans often long to be recognized, rewarded, and celebrated. Living as a Jesus follower is now a fight over the will of self. Those in Christ battle the old man.
Paul saw his own wretchedness: For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate… For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out” (Romans 7:15,18).
It is so difficult to go against our desire. So, Jesus spoke to his disciples and said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”
In this statement, Jesus taught us that the pursuit of selfish desire will not satisfy. It is like a greyhound chasing an electronic rabbit around a track that leads nowhere. The fight for true meaning is only found in the pursuit of Jesus.
The solution: Those in Christ are called to a new journey.
The disciple is called to a new path of denying self, taking up a cross, and living a new Christ-centered life. This journey is the transformation of the old nature back toward the Imago Dei inside of us. And Christ did not tell us what to do but demonstrated it.
He laid down his power, dwelt with us, and subjected himself to the cross so that we might find reconciliation with God. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 55.5).
Likewise, the disciple is to deny self and conform to the image of the Son. Christ now calls us to lay down our desires and crucify the old self. In doing so we are freed from a life of slavery to sin. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
The result: The disciple becomes a living sacrifice.
In Christ, we are reconciled with our creator and therefore find true meaning to life. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
The call: Let him deny himself and in doing so become part of a greater story.
The world is hurting. In letting go of our own small dreams we will find purpose in becoming people of compassion. In laying down self, we are given the blessing of participating in a great story still being written. Through selfless actions, the gospel reached Mincaye, the one who killed Steve Saint’s father. And in Christ, Mincaye became a father to Steve.