By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16
Sacrifice. We know love because of sacrifice. Is that what comes to mind when you say “I love you.” If you inserted sacrifice for in place of love would it be true?
I was thinking about this recently as it relates to my wife. I’ll be honest. I married my wife because I enjoyed being with her. We had a blast and I was extremely attracted to her. I loved being around her and when I said I loved her that was really what I meant.
But that isn’t good enough. My commitment as a Christian isn’t simply to stay with my wife because I enjoy her company or even that I find her attractive. In the end the commitment I made to her says I will sacrifice for her, I love her.
That is the commitment that pushes me threw when things aren’t going well, when I don’t enjoy being around her because those times come.
I have to ask myself, am I sacrificing for her. I often find that I’m not, that I’ve gotten a little self-absorbed in our relationship. I’ve thought more about what she gives to me then what I give to her.
I am forced to ask myself if I am meeting her needs, sacrificing on her behalf.
What would happen in our relationships if we heard in I love you, I sacrifice for you?
0 comments:
Post a Comment