sacrificial love essay

bibilium.com

Unveiling the power of sacrificial love:7 pathways to an extraordinary life.

In the tapestry of human history, few narratives resonate as deeply and enduringly as the timeless story of Jesus Christ—a figure whose life and teachings have left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of millions across the globe. At the core of this profound narrative lies a theme that transcends the boundaries of time, culture, and creed—the extraordinary power of sacrificial love. This article delves into the ethereal depths of Jesus Christ’s unparalleled compassion, exploring the transformative impact of his sacrificial love on humanity and the enduring legacy it has carved in the annals of spirituality.

The life of Jesus Christ, as chronicled in ancient scriptures and passed down through generations, stands as a testament to the revolutionary concept of sacrificial love. A love so profound that it defies conventional understanding and challenges the very fabric of human nature. As we navigate the corridors of history, peeling back the layers of time, we unveil a narrative that transcends cultural boundaries and speaks to the universal yearning for a love that goes beyond self-preservation—an altruistic, sacrificial love that has the power to heal, inspire, and redeem.

Quote by Adam Hamilton

In this exploration, we will navigate the pivotal moments of Jesus Christ’s life, examining the selfless acts of love that defined his earthly journey. From the poignant scenes of his ministry to the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, each chapter reveals a deeper understanding of a love that sought not personal gain but the salvation of all humanity. Moreover, we will unravel the enduring implications of this sacrificial love, contemplating its relevance in our contemporary world and the profound impact it continues to exert on individuals seeking solace, purpose, and redemption.

As we embark on this journey through the annals of spiritual history, let us delve into the essence of the power of sacrificial love as exemplified by Jesus Christ—a force that has shaped the moral compass of civilizations and continues to illuminate the path toward a more compassionate and connected world.

Table of Contents

Define sacrificial love.

“Sacrificial love” in the context of the Bible refers to a selfless and unconditional love that involves putting the needs and well-being of others above one’s own desires and interests. This concept is often associated with agape love, a term used in the New Testament of the Bible to describe the highest form of love.

The idea of sacrificial love is exemplified in various biblical passages, with one of the most prominent examples being found in the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the Christian faith, Jesus is seen as the ultimate example of sacrificial love, as he willingly gave up his life on the cross for the salvation of humanity. This act is considered the epitome of selflessness and love, demonstrating a willingness to sacrifice personal comfort, safety, and even life itself for the benefit of others.

The Bible encourages believers to emulate this sacrificial love in their own lives, showing compassion, kindness, and generosity to others, even in the face of personal sacrifice. Notable biblical passages that highlight the importance of sacrificial love include verses like John 15:13, which states, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” emphasizing the idea that true love involves a willingness to make significant sacrifices for the well-being of others.

Journey of Sacrificial Love: Navigating the Pivotal Moments of Jesus Christ’s Life

The narrative of Jesus Christ’s life is a mosaic woven with threads of profound compassion and sacrificial love. As we navigate the pivotal moments that defined his earthly journey, we find a remarkable story of selflessness and unwavering commitment to the salvation of humanity. From the poignant scenes of his ministry to the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, each chapter unveils a deeper understanding of a love that obliterates personal reward, leaving an enduring legacy that resonates through the corridors of time.

• The Ministry: A Tapestry of Compassion

At the heart of Jesus Christ’s earthly journey lies a ministry characterized by kindness and empathy. His teachings, delivered with a blend of wisdom and humility, sought to uplift the downtrodden and embrace the outcast. Whether healing the sick, feeding the hungry, or offering solace to the brokenhearted, Jesus exemplified a selfless love that knew no bounds. Each interaction became a brushstroke in the masterpiece of his life, painting a portrait of a divine love that reached the depths of human suffering.

• Miracles and Parables: Illuminating the Path of Love

Jesus Christ’s ministry was punctuated by miracles and parables that illuminated the path of love and generosity. Through these transformative acts, he not only demonstrated his divinity but also imparted profound lessons on the essence of sacrificial love. The multiplication of loaves and fishes, the healing of the blind, and the raising of the dead—all bore witness to a love that transcended the physical realm, offering a glimpse into the boundless grace that fueled his earthly mission.

• The Last Supper: A Symbolic Feast of Love

As Jesus approached the culmination of his journey, the Last Supper emerged as a poignant symbol of sacrificial love. By breaking bread and sharing wine with his disciples, he imparted a profound legacy that extended beyond the material world. The act of washing his disciples’ feet, a gesture typically reserved for servants, underscored the humility and selflessness at the core of his message. In this sacred moment, Jesus foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice that awaited him, laying the groundwork for the transformative power of sacrificial love.

• The Crucifixion: A Profound Act of Redemption

The apex of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial love unfolded on the cross, where he bore the weight of humanity’s sins. In the face of excruciating physical and emotional agony, his final words echoed with forgiveness and love—“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” This ultimate act of redemption exemplified a love that transcended the boundaries of time, offering salvation to all who would embrace it.

As we navigate the pivotal moments of Jesus Christ’s life, the selfless acts of love that defined his earthly journey become a beacon of inspiration. From the ministry that embraced the marginalized to the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, each chapter reveals a deeper understanding of a love that sought not personal reward but the salvation of all humanity. Today, the legacy of sacrificial love continues to resonate, challenging us to embrace compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness—a timeless call to navigate our earthly journeys with hearts open to the transformative power of love.

The Enduring Legacy of Sacrificial Love: Jesus Christ’s Impact on the Contemporary Soul

Beyond the ancient narratives and religious doctrines, the enduring implications of the unparalleled demonstration of the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ continue to reverberate in our contemporary world. In a society often marked by division and individualism, the sacrificial love of Jesus serves as a timeless guidepost, offering comfort, aim, and atonement to those who seek a transformative and compassionate path.

• Relevance in a Divided World

The contemporary world is often fraught with divisions, whether they be cultural, political, or ideological. In the face of these schisms, the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ stands as a unifying force, reminding us of the essential humanity that binds us all. His teachings emphasize love for neighbors, forgiveness of enemies, and a selfless devotion to the well-being of others, challenging the prevailing narrative of separation and fostering a sense of interconnectedness.

• Compassion Amid Suffering

The modern era is not without its share of suffering, be it through global political, economic, or health crises, personal struggles, or societal challenges. In times of hardship, the sacrificial love of Jesus becomes a source of solace, providing a model for responding to adversity with empathy and resilience. Jesus’ journey, marked by trials and tribulations, serves as a testament to the life-altering power of enduring love in the face of suffering.

• Purpose in a World of Uncertainty

In an age where individuals often grapple with questions of purpose and meaning, the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ offers a profound answer. His life was dedicated to a higher purpose—serving humanity, offering redemption, and embodying a divine love that transcends worldly pursuits. Today, individuals seeking purpose can find inspiration in the selflessness that characterized Jesus’ mission, understanding that a life devoted to love and service carries enduring significance.

• Redemption and the Call to Transformation

The sacrificial love of Jesus extends a universal invitation to redemption and transformation. Regardless of one’s past, the message of forgiveness and grace inherent in his sacrifice provides a pathway to renewal and spiritual growth. This call to redemption is not confined to historical contexts but resonates deeply in the hearts of those navigating the complexities of the contemporary human experience, offering a chance for healing and restoration.

A Timeless Call to the Human Soul

In a world marked by change and uncertainty, the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ remains a timeless and universal force. Its enduring implications stretch beyond cultural boundaries, providing a guiding light for individuals seeking consolation, intention, and expiation amid life’s challenges. As we contemplate the relevance of this profound love in our contemporary world, we find a call to embrace compassion, foster unity, and embark on a life-changing journey toward a more connected and empathetic global community. In the enduring legacy of sacrificial love, we discover a source of inspiration that has the power to reshape lives and bring about a positive and lasting impact on the human soul.

7 Ways to Practice Sacrificial Love: A Journey Inspired by Jesus

In a world often characterized by self-interest and individualism, the concept of sacrificial love offers a revolutionary path toward a more compassionate and interconnected existence. Rooted in the example set forth by Jesus Christ, sacrificial love calls us to selflessly give of ourselves for the betterment of those around us.

Drawing inspiration from the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who epitomized sacrificial love both in life and death, we embark on a journey to explore seven practical ways to infuse this magnificent love into our daily lives. From family relationships to acts of service and compassion toward the marginalized, each avenue offers an opportunity to mirror the selfless love exemplified by the greatest teacher of sacrificial love, the Son of the Living God, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

• Look to Jesus as the Greatest Example

To practice sacrificial love, our first guide is Jesus himself. His life and death serve as the quintessential examples of selflessness and compassion. His life, marked by humility, kindness, and sacrifice, serves as the ultimate model for how we should love others. By studying his words, actions, teachings, and the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, we gain insights into the depth and breadth of sacrificial love, inspiring us to follow in his footsteps. This foundational step sets the tone for understanding how our actions and attitudes can align with the transformative power of love modeled by Jesus.

• Sacrificial Love in Family Relationships

The intimate space of family becomes a canvas where sacrificial love is vividly displayed. Just as Jesus demonstrated love and care for his disciples, we are called to extend that same love to our spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Sacrificial love within the family entails putting the needs of others before our own, seeking their well-being, and flourishing above all else.

Through the nurturing of familial bonds, we can mirror Jesus’ love through selfless acts, patience, and forgiveness. Whether in times of joy or adversity, sacrificial love within the family echoes the divine bond we share, fostering an environment where love is not merely spoken but tangibly demonstrated in actions.

• Sacrificial Love as Worship to God

Our acts of sacrificial love extend beyond interpersonal relationships; they become a form of worship to God. By imitating Jesus’ sacrificial love, we honor and glorify the divine. As we love and serve others, we reflect the divine love that God has bestowed upon us. Whether it be caring for the sick, comforting the grieving, or aiding the marginalized, our sacrificial love becomes an offering of gratitude and adoration to the One who first loved us. Viewing our acts of love as an offering to God transforms the mundane into the sacred, infusing purpose and spiritual significance into our everyday actions.

• Love God through Following and Obeying

True sacrificial love toward the Heavenly Father involves more than rituals; it entails a genuine commitment to following and obeying His teachings. Jesus himself declared, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus’ love for God was exemplified in his obedience and alignment with the divine will.

Our love for God is demonstrated not only in words but in deeds—by following his teachings and walking in obedience to his will, even when it requires sacrifice on our part. Practicing sacrificial love towards the Supreme Being involves aligning our will with His, seeking to live a life that reflects His love and grace.

• Counting Everything as Loss for the Sake of Knowing God

In the pursuit of sacrificial love, we are called to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. As the apostle Paul wrote, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). Sacrificial love compels us to relinquish our ambitions, comforts and desires to deepen our intimacy with God and align our lives with his purposes.

This self-emptying process, reminiscent of Jesus’ own surrender, involves counting everything as a loss in comparison to our profound relationship with the divine. It requires a shift in priorities, valuing the eternal over the temporal.

• Love and Serve the Body of Christ – the Church

Sacrificial love extends to the broader community of believers—the body of Christ, or the Church. Just as Jesus served and loved his disciples, we are called to love and serve our fellow believers. This involves a commitment to the well-being of the community, sacrificially offering time, resources, and support to build a nurturing environment that mirrors the love of Christ.

Just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, we are called to humbly serve one another, bearing each other’s burdens and sharing in each other’s joys. Sacrificial love within the church fosters unity, mutual care, and spiritual growth among believers.

• Love Those Marginalized in Society

Practicing sacrificial love extends beyond familiar circles to embrace those on the fringes of society. Just as Jesus reached out to the outcasts and downtrodden, we are called to advocate for justice, show mercy to the oppressed, and stand in solidarity with the marginalized. This may involve acts of kindness, advocacy, or simply lending a compassionate ear to those whose voices may often go unheard.

Sacrificial love empowers us to be agents of transformation, working towards a world where all are valued, dignified, and loved.

In adopting these seven ways to practice sacrificial love, we embark on a journey inspired by the life-altering love modeled by Jesus Christ. From the intimacy of family relationships to the broader canvas of societal interactions, sacrificial love becomes a tangible force that has the power to heal, transform, and build bridges in a world hungry for authentic and selfless connection. As we embody these principles, may we draw nearer to the heart of Jesus Christ, paving the way for a more compassionate and interconnected existence.

Recap: Embracing the Profound Legacy of Sacrificial Love

In the tapestry of human history, the narrative of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial love stands as a timeless masterpiece, woven with threads of compassion, humility, and divine purpose. As we navigate the profound depths of his earthly journey, from the poignant scenes of his ministry to the ultimate sacrifice on the cross, the resounding echo of sacrificial love reverberates through the corridors of time, leaving an indelible mark on the human spirit.

The enduring power of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial love is not confined to the pages of ancient scriptures; it transcends religious boundaries and cultural divides, resonating with the universal longing for a love that surpasses understanding. His life becomes a beacon, guiding humanity through the labyrinth of self-discovery and societal challenges, offering solace, purpose, and redemption to those willing to accept its transformative embrace.

In a world often marked by strife, division, and the relentless pursuit of self-interest, the sacrificial love of Jesus becomes a clarion call—a call to love unconditionally, to serve selflessly, and to find redemption in the face of adversity. It challenges us to transcend the limitations of our humanity and to embrace a higher purpose, one that echoes the divine love that defined Jesus’ earthly sojourn.

As we conclude our exploration into the power of sacrificial love, let us carry forward the lessons embedded in the life of Jesus Christ. May we be inspired to cultivate kindness, foster unity, and extend a hand of selfless love to those we encounter on our earthly journeys. For in the enduring legacy of sacrificial love, we find not only a source of spiritual nourishment, but a timeless and metamorphic force capable of illuminating the darkest corners of our existence, bringing forth a more compassionate, connected, and love-infused world.

Our a rticles on Lent will help you understand the need for God’s presence in your lives and use this season as a time of repenting, sobriety, refocusing, and renewing. Practice prayer, observe fasting, give up something, and assist those in need.

Our 5 Minute sermons will change the way you think, turn your life right side up, feed your soul, and help to build your faith in God .

Related Posts

Mind-Blowing Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross | 25 Key Takeaways

7 Proven Types of Fasting in the Holy Bible

Lent Period — 7 Meaningful and Best Things To Give Up

Master the Art of a Simple Lent Holiday with These 3 Practical Strategies

30 Best Easter Quotes To Restore, Renew, And Revitalize You

40 Faith-Filled Lent Quotes to Help You Finish Your Awesome Lenten Journey

About the author.

Add Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Why Is Sacrificial Love So Important?

True love, as shown to us by Jesus, is sacrificial. He laid down His life so we could experience salvation. Even though His loving act meant pain and suffering, He still chose to die in our place.

Valentine’s Day is a holiday filled with expressions of love: heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, bouquets of roses, and adorable teddy bears marked with the words “I love you.” While this day offers a fun and exciting way to tell others we love them, there is much more to true love than romantic gestures. In the whirlwind of emotions, we forget that loving others and being loved can be costly.

As C. S. Lewis quotes in his book The Four Loves , “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one.”

Unlike the world’s depiction of love, true love is raw, self-sacrificing, and oftentimes painful. Relationships are hard, such as those between husband and wife, parent and child, siblings, and friends. To love others is to be willing to give our very lives for another, as our Savior showed us.

Love Is More Than a Feeling

Many people think that love is just an emotion you feel. When viewed as a feeling, love is nothing more than a warm or pleasant sensation. People can fall in and out of love if it is only an emotion. However, the Bible offers a different perspective.

Love is more than a feeling. It is something you do. The Apostle John reminds us of this truth in his letter, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” ( 1 John 3:18 ). When we care about someone, we will reveal our love in the way we behave and treat that person ( James 2:16 ; 1 John 3:17 ).

Loving others in our actions is a way to reflect God’s love. He did not just feel affection toward humans, kindly wishing us well. Instead, “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” ( Romans 5:8 , NLT).

The greatest love that anyone can ever know is found in Jesus Christ. Because He chose to die in the place of sinful humans, we can freely receive His gift of salvation if we place our faith in Him ( Ephesians 2:5 , 8-9).

As Jesus showed us, love is a choice. He could have left us in our sin with the punishment we deserve ( Romans 3:23 ; 6:23). Yet, He willingly laid down His life ( John 10:18 ). In following Christ’s example, we can also choose to love others.

At times, we will not feel overly affectionate or compassionate toward others, but we can still choose to show them Christ’s love. In fact, loving difficult people or even our enemies is a defining mark of a follower of Jesus ( Luke 6:27 ).

Laying Down Our Lives for Others

Christ’s love is greater than any other love in the world. He died so we could receive eternal life ( John 3:16 ). Now, Jesus calls believers to love others as He loves us ( John 15:12 ). As He said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” ( John 15:13 ).

Willingness to lay aside your desires and needs for the benefit of others is what it means to love others sacrificially.

Instead of seeking His own good or comfort, Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth as a man ( Philippians 2:7-8 ). Enduring intense pain and suffering during His crucifixion, Christ took on the role of a servant to give His life as a ransom for the sins of the world ( Matthew 20:28 ). God the Son lovingly gave up His life for those who did not deserve such mercy.

Just as Christ set aside His desires and needs, we can choose to do the same for others. However, we must acknowledge and accept that loving others will be hard and can us cause pain.

When a friend pushes us away because of depression or a loved one fights against our attempts to tell them the gospel, we will experience heartache. If we are Christ-followers, though, we will continue to love even if it is painful. He has called us to nothing less than sacrificial love.

Radical and Countercultural Love

To continue loving others even when it hurts is contrary to the views of the world. In modern society, people regularly leave friends, family, and spouses if relationships are challenging. This does not mean that Christ wants us to stay in abusive relationships. However, He does call us to a countercultural way of life.

6 Surprising Truths for Christians Facing Mental Health Struggles

For instance, during New Testament times, people could divorce their spouses for any reason. Even a poorly made dinner was grounds for a divorce. Jesus radically addressed this popular practice of divorce by stating that a husband or wife could only divorce their spouse because of adultery ( Matthew 5:31-32 ).

People in abusive relationships are also allowed to divorce according to Scripture since a man should treat his wife as Christ lovingly treats the Church ( Ephesians 5:25 ).

Jesus’ teaching about divorce is just as ground-breaking and controversial today because people are constantly getting divorced and remarrying. The reason marriage relationships are difficult is that loving others as Christ loves us is hard and sometimes painful.

Another biblical example of the countercultural way of life Jesus calls us to is the way He dealt with differences in social class and ethnicity. Although Christ was a respected teacher, He associated with tax collectors and sinners, the lowest class of society ( Matthew 9:10-11 ).

Instead of turning away in hatred, Jesus poured out His love to the poor and needy. He regularly dined with the outcasts in society and was known as a friend of sinners ( Matthew 11:19 ).

When he gave a parable about loving our neighbor as ourselves, Jesus made a Samaritan the “hero” of the story ( Luke 10:33 ).

The Jewish people despised Samaritans, yet Christ repeatedly knocked down social barriers between these two groups of people. He also affirmed that salvation is for all people, both Jew and Gentile ( Acts 10:13-15 , 34-36).

God does not want us to limit our love to those who love us. He wants us to show His sacrificial love to all people, even those who may look or think differently than we do.

To connect with others who are unlike us is a formidable task, but the Lord has given us all the resources we need to love radically and counterculturally through His Spirit and His Word ( Galatians 5:22 ; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ; 2 Peter 1:3 ).

Why Is This Important?

The world commonly depicts love as merely a strong emotion that can come and go. People often relish the pleasant feeling of love but withdraw from relationships that become challenging or tedious.

Today, people desire close connections yet often do not want to invest their lives in others. However, true love, as shown to us by Jesus, is sacrificial. He laid down His life so we could experience salvation. Even though His loving act meant pain and suffering, He still chose to die in our place.

We are called to love others as Jesus loved us, which includes investing in difficult relationships and acting in love toward others, including those who are different from us. As 1 John 4:11 reminds us, “Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another .” Sacrificial love is important because of the message of the cross.

For further reading:

Are We Willing to Be Offered as a Living Sacrifice?      

What Is Authentic Love?

What Does the Bible Really Say about Love?

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/kevron2001

Sophia Bricker is a freelance writer who enjoys researching and writing articles on biblical and theological topics. In addition to contributing articles about biblical questions as a contract writer, she has also written for Unlocked devotional. She holds a BA in Ministry, a MA in Ministry, and is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing to develop her writing craft. As someone who is passionate about the Bible and faith in Jesus, her mission is to help others learn about Christ and glorify Him in her writing. When she isn’t busy studying or writing, Sophia enjoys spending time with family, reading, drawing, and gardening.  

Are Altar Calls Biblical?

5 Ways to Spread the Gospel While Working Remotely

Is Masturbation a Sin?

Morning Prayers to Start Your Day with God

The Best Birthday Prayers to Celebrate Friends and Family 

What Is the Jezebel Spirit?

7 Differences Between Knowing About Jesus and Having a Personal Relationship with Him

If I daily choose to put on love, there's nothing that can break our bond.

Bible Baseball

Play now...

Saintly Millionaire

Bible Jeopardy

Bible Trivia By Category

Bible Trivia Challenge

How Can We Practice Sacrificial Love?

Love is a word that is thrown around in conversation like passes of a ball in a basketball game. It bounces off the lips, there is both giving and taking and we all want to score when it comes to love. The word ‘love’ has a lot of meaning. We can "love" a pizza, but we can also "love" our parents. On social media, we can express that we love what someone shares by using a heart emoji. Love can mean different things, at different times, to different people. Can we really know what love is?

In the ancient Greek language, there are four types of love. There is storge love which is love that is shared between family members like that experienced between a parent and child; eros love which is sexual love; phileo love which is brotherly love and there is agape love which is sacrificial love. This fourth kind of love is the love that God has for the world because love is who He is ( 1 John 4:8 ) and it is what He desires us to show towards Him and others.

What is sacrificial love?  

The agape love of God is most perfectly seen in the cross that Jesus Christ bore. This cross has become the symbol within the Christian faith which represents the sacrificial love of God. A piece of wood used by Romans to crucify criminals is exactly where all of sinful humanity deserved to be for the punishment of their sins toward a holy God. Yet God in His love for us took our place as "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" ( Romans 5:8 NIV ). Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we see a love unlike anything the world has ever known. 

This agape love is what saves and restores humanity’s broken relationship with God. God is the one who initiates this restoration. In John 3:16 (NIV) it says, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." God gives Himself for the world in sacrificial love and welcomes the worst of sinners. As Jesus laid down His life, taking our sin upon Himself and nailing it on the cross, we are to look to Him who loved us so lavishly and we are to love others with this love that we have seen and experienced from Him. As theologian J.I. Packer says: "Our love is to express our gratitude for God’s gracious love to us, and to be modeled on it" (Concise Theology, pg. 156). 

7 Ways to Practice Sacrificial Love 

1. Look to Jesus as He is the greatest example of sacrificial love in both life and death

When it comes to living a life modeled on God’s gracious love to us, we can look at no other except Jesus. Jesus taught extensively on loving others and He practically lived that out in His life, death and resurrection. When we want to love others sacrificially, we look to Jesus. The life that Jesus lived was marked by serving others. This is beautifully captured in the washing of the disciples’ feet and was an opportunity for Him to demonstrate what He wanted His disciples to do for others. However, the greatest act of sacrificial love is seen on the cross where "the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" ( Mark 10:45 NIV).

Although Jesus was with God from the beginning and loved by the Father ( John 1:1 ), He did not count this equality as something to hold onto, but laid it down, made Himself nothing, became like a servant, took on the likeness of human flesh and humbled Himself in obedience to suffer the death a sinful humanity deserved ( Philippians 2:6-8 ). If Jesus lived His life like this, we should seek to love others in the same way, counting others better than ourselves ( Philippians 2:3 ). If we feel like grumbling and resentment comes welling up from the fountain of our hearts, then we look to the cross once again. There we find Jesus "who endured such opposition from sinners" and from this [we] "will not grow weary and lose heart" ( Hebrews 12:3 NIV). 

2. Sacrificial love modeled on Jesus is displayed in our family relationships

Family relationships are an example of where we can see sacrificial love working out on a daily basis. In the context of a Christian marriage , the husband shows how Jesus the bridegroom loves His bride, the church. In Ephesians 5:25 , husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the church, giving himself up for her. When husbands love their wives, they are to do it sacrificially, just like Jesus laid down His life for us, His church and bride. They should love their wives as if it were their own body ( Ephesians 5:28 ). The wife models submission to her husband, which is a reflection of our submission to Jesus, just like Jesus submits to His Father.  

The parent/child relationship can also reflect this sacrificial love as parents offer up their lives to care for their children. When a mother or father loves their child and Jesus is at the center of their family, they are demonstrating a life of laying down their interests to point their children to the God who loves them. To quote J.I. Packer again: "This sacrificial love involves giving, spending, and impoverishing ourselves up to the limit for their well-being" (Concise Theology, pg. 156) . This can describe the life of a spouse or a parent who strives to live a life of sacrificial love within their family. 

3. Our sacrificial love is worship to God 

As we offer our bodies to the Lord as living sacrifices, it is spiritual worship to Him ( Romans 12:1 ). When we seek to love others as Jesus loved us, we are displaying that sacrificial love found at the cross of Calvary to the world. We are offering our lives to God because of all that He has done and continues to do in our lives and for His glory. Our sacrificial love for others is a response of worship and praise to Him who laid down His life for us. We love because He first loved us ( 1 John 4:19 ).  

4. We love God by following and obeying Him 

Obedience is a mark of our love for God. In John 14:21 (NIV) it says, "whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." Practically, this means knowing Jesus personally, coming to the Father through Him and walking in the Spirit in our daily activities. Obedience to God will mean sacrifice to other things, but we can obey because He was obedient to death on the cross ( Philippians 2:8 ). We can expect to know even more of the Lord as we walk closely with Him and this will affect how we live our lives. 

5. Count everything as a loss in comparison to knowing God

C.S. Lewis said "humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less," and as we seek to love others sacrificially, we are not devaluing ourselves, but thinking more of Jesus and others. By looking to Jesus, we know He said to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him ( Luke 9:23 ). We do not deny ourselves in our own strength, but by coming to Him and asking for His help. As we lay down our lives, we are in a position to sacrificially love others, rather than putting ourselves first. 

A life following Jesus will mean a closer communion with Him which should then flow out to other people. We get to know Jesus by spending time with Him. Jesus spent time with His Father and now we can have that same closeness to the Father because of Jesus. He has made a way for us to come directly to the Father because of the cross. By the power of the Holy Spirit that is given to believers, we can enjoy close fellowship with the triune God which will impact how we love others.

6. Love and serve the body of Christ - the church

  It is the mark of the believer to love one another, especially in the church which is the body of Christ. The body of believers is connected to Jesus who is the head of the whole body which is the church ( Colossians 1:18 ). Jesus said that all people will know that we are His disciples if we have love for one another ( John 13:35 ). Practically loving the body of Christ is the mark of being a disciple of Jesus. 

There is so much that seems to divide the church which a watching world can see. Our love for Jesus and one another should set us apart. There is much that we need to come back to the cross in repentance for. However, we know the world is not going to always accept us, and we should remember that it hated Jesus before it hated us ( John 15:18 ). We need to be people who lay down their lives for one another, serving one another and supporting each other. Can our brothers and sisters in the church experience this sacrificial love from us so that we can unite together out in the world?

7. Love those that are marginalized in society

Jesus loved those who were outsiders in society. He touched and healed those with diseases and sickness. He dined with tax collectors and sinners to the shock of the religious leaders of the day. He spoke to women and had good friendships with them. The agape love of God breaks down barriers, yet do we put up our own walls in who we choose to love? Do we show preferential treatment to different groups of people? Do we avoid those we feel uncomfortable with? 

Jesus died for us when we were enemies against God whilst we were still sinners ( Romans 5:8 ). All of us have fallen short of the glory of God ( Romans 3:23 ) and there is not one who is righteous ( Romans 3:10 ). Knowing all that Jesus did on the cross for us, how can we not live a life of sacrificial love, reaching out to the poor, the marginalized, the lost and those whom God loves and are made in His image? 

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/kieferpix

Ruth Clemence is a wife, mom, writer and Premier Digital award-winning blogger based in South West England. Read more at: ruthclemence.com  and follow her on Twitter: @ruth_the_writer .

• Featured Essay The Love of God An essay by Sam Storms Read Now
• Faithfulness of God
• Saving Grace
• Adoption by God

Most Popular

• Gender Identity
• Trusting God
• The Holiness of God
• See All Essays

• Conference Media
• Featured Essay Resurrection of Jesus An essay by Benjamin Shaw Read Now
• Death of Christ
• Resurrection of Jesus
• Church and State
• Sovereignty of God
• Faith and Works
• The Carson Center
• The Keller Center
• New City Catechism
• Publications
• Read the Bible

U.S. Edition

• Arts & Culture
• Bible & Theology
• Christian Living
• Current Events
• Faith & Work
• As In Heaven
• Gospelbound
• Post-Christianity?
• TGC Podcast
• You're Not Crazy
• Churches Planting Churches
• Help Me Teach The Bible
• Word Of The Week
• Upcoming Events
• Past Conference Media
• Foundation Documents
• Church Directory
• Global Resourcing
• Donate to TGC

To All The World

The world is a confusing place right now. We believe that faithful proclamation of the gospel is what our hostile and disoriented world needs. Do you believe that too? Help TGC bring biblical wisdom to the confusing issues across the world by making a gift to our international work.

Sacrificial Love is the Key to the Christian Life

More by trevin.

Trevin : You’ve written about how Southern churches were subverted by the racial idolatry of their day. What do you think kept so many Southern evangelicals from engaging in the civil rights movement?

Alan : I was born and raised in the South, and my family is all from the South. My ancestors fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War, so this is a personal issue for me. I am not carpetbagging here. Like many Southerners, I always had an interest in history, and as a Christian who grew up in the church, I had trouble reconciling our history on race with what I saw in Scripture.

As a boy, I remember asking older family members why racism existed and why whites and blacks were separated. The most common answer was that that’s just how things were. People didn’t think much about it.

The more that I explored the issue as an adult, the more that I became aware of the reality that Southern culture and Southern religion became good at compartmentalizing and using the Christian faith in ways that ended up enhancing our “way of life.” We focused on personal morality and private religion and success. And in our evangelistic zeal, we cared about the individual soul being saved.

But our spiritual concern did not touch on systemic injustice in society, or on how whole races and classes of people were treated. We had a truncated gospel that was concerned with getting to heaven when we died, but was not as concerned with confronting a racist and fundamentally unjust society, even though the Southern evangelical church had great power in that society. We could have changed things if we had wanted to, but we didn’t because it didn’t benefit us to address the status quo.

Trevin : As you were researching the history of these times, what was the biggest surprise you encountered?

Alan : Probably my biggest surprise involved discovering the role that Greek philosophy played in developing the attitudes of Southerner’s in relation to slavery and racism. The novelist and philosopher Walker Percy said that the South was more Greek than Christian in its disposition and passion in many ways.

This perspective really opened up my understanding as to why Southerners, with the Bible in hand, were able to justify race-based slavery. It is because they were reading Paul through the lens of Aristotle instead of the other way around. In doing so, their Christianity, in many regards, was subverted to the spirit of the age. They used the Bible to support and justify the cultural status quo.

I write a whole section on how I came to discover that Paul was actually dismantling Aristotle’s categories of natural slavery in his New Testament letters instead of supporting the practice. This understanding has a lot of implications for current debates on how the Bible is used. It also serves as a warning to all of us that we can easily subvert Scripture to the common cultural expectations so we can be accepted by others. It is a strong temptation for every generation.

Trevin : You believe our racial problems go back to disobedience of Philippians 2, and our unwillingness to engage in sacrificial love for others when it comes at great expense to ourselves. Racism is, then, a symptom of a more fundamental problem that can be expressed in other ways. What are some other ways that fundamental lack of love is expressed today?

Alan : Right. The book looks at racism as an obvious problem, but really, it is about much more than the church’s history of racial division. We should not point a finger at those in the past in a judgmental or self-righteous way without first considering the logs in our own eye. While, hopefully, we are not turning a blind eye to horrors like human slavery, we still have our own sins and blind spots that we will give an account for. That is the ultimate point of the book.

Sacrificial love is the key to the Christian life. Loving God and loving people is what Jesus calls us to. So, whenever we are not considering others better than ourselves and looking after not just our own interests, but also the interests of others, we are betraying the Lord’s commands and are living a way of life that actually leads to death.

Some of the ways that we act to promote our own “way of life” over and above others and live for our own interests can be found in how we spend our money and our time. We have been blessed with enormous economic resources here in America. What do we do with it? What do we do with our freedom and our time? How do we coalesce our political power and interest? Do we think first about what benefits us or do we think about the needs of others?

I hear people justify almost any action that they take by saying, “I have to think first about what is best for me and my family.” That is often a discussion stopper. But, what if we are called to think first about what God wants and how He might use us for His glory instead of simply trying to preserve our own life and prosperity?

These are difficult things for Americans, but when we are thinking first about ourself and our own “way of life,” our motivation might not be that far different from the slave owners of the past, even if the consequences of our self-centeredness might be less acute, at least directly. The error is compounded when we adapt our religion to meet our own desires instead of letting our hearts and lives be thoroughly changed by the person and work of Christ.

Trevin : What are some practical steps pastors and church leaders can take to ensure that our churches aren’t succumbing to a consumerism that enshrines certain racial attitudes and practices?

Alan : I spend a good bit of time working through practical things in the last third of the book. I am a big believer that when we first lay our lives down for God and then for others, then we will be guided by the Spirit and Scripture into ways that we can live creatively as people who are blessed by God to be a blessing for others.

I do not necessarily advocate that everyone move to Africa as a missionary or that everyone sell all that they have and give it away just to show how sacrificial they are or to prove a point. Rather, we need to think better and more “Christianly” about the decisions that we make, especially in relation to how we see others that we perceive to be different from us.

Much of the solution can be found in the doctrine of vocation: God places us in many different spheres to live our lives as servants cooperating with God who represent His ways and Kingdom through sacrificial love. Instead of thinking first about how an action benefits us, we must first think about how we can love and serve others. This means that we really need to stop seeing the world through the lens of our personal preference and start thinking first about how we can be a blessing.

To live missionally, we have to understand the sins embedded in our history and we have to think about how loving sacrificially across racial and socioeconomic lines speaks loudly that Jesus is our motivation rather than just seeking after our own gain. That is an apologetic that cannot be argued with. When we lay down our lives for others, whether that manifests in how we spend our money or our time or how and who we worship with, we find that God brings forth a better life than we ever could have grasped for ourselves if we were getting our way.

I try to not to tell people exactly what they are to do, because I want to position the reader to be able to see the dangers of pursuing their own interests above others while also learning how to listen to God’s voice in relation to loving others sacrificially in their own context. I do give specific ideas, but they are more about how we can think about things so that we will be positioned to make godly and loving choices each day.

Trevin : What role does the local church have in correcting the errors of the past in regard to race and the use of religion for self-promotion?

Alan : The local church is uniquely positioned to be, as Eugene Peterson calls it, “a colony of heaven in the country of death.” We get to tell a better story of God’s redemption, salvation, grace, and sacrificial love found only in Jesus through how we live, worship, and serve together. We get to both proclaim and demonstrate the gospel to a world that doesn’t understand grace or transformation and that is stuck in deadly categories that divide and hinder human flourishing.

In the church, we can give a picture of heaven and truly demonstrate who Jesus is. So, I talk a lot about the church being the place where people from all different walks of life can come together and be one in Christ. I think that living out our theology this way is necessary if we are going to have any real credibility, especially when we consider our own culpability in the injustices of the past.

In a world that continues to struggle with racism and economic and social divisions, what kind of story does it tell when Christians are divided along the same lines? When we only gather with people like us? So, putting aside our own preferences for our earthly cultures and prosperity and embracing a Kingdom Culture that makes room at the table for people from different races and socio-economic backgrounds should be considered a primary way that we both become disciples of Christ and also live missional lives.

The church does not exist to promote our own preferences. Rather, it exists as a place where we are conformed to the image of Christ and where we tell a Kingdom story as we hold out the word of life together.

When we engage in relationships of sacrificial love with people who are different from us, we end up giving and receiving grace and forgiveness and we tear down strongholds in our lives and in our culture. The world might be perpetually divided, but the church tells a better story.

Galatians 3:26-29, Colossians 3:11, and 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 speak to this. We are one in Christ and we are not to regard anyone from a worldly point of view, but only according to the new creation. The local church is the place where all of this happens and it is the place where we must come together in Christ if we are to truly know Him or if we have anything worth saying to the world.

Trevin Wax is vice president of research and resource development at the North American Mission Board and a visiting professor at Cedarville University. A former missionary to Romania, Trevin is a regular columnist at The Gospel Coalition and has contributed to The Washington Post , Religion News Service , World , and Christianity Today . He has taught courses on mission and ministry at Wheaton College and has lectured on Christianity and culture at Oxford University. He is a founding editor of The Gospel Project, has served as publisher for the Christian Standard Bible, and is the author of multiple books, including The Thrill of Orthodoxy , The Multi-Directional Leader , Rethink Your Self , This Is Our Time , and Gospel Centered Teaching . His podcast is Reconstructing Faith . He and his wife, Corina, have three children. You can follow him on Twitter or Facebook , or receive his columns via email .

Both Worm and Worthy

7 Recommendations from My Book Stack

The Case for Holy Obstinacy

A Lesson for American Evangelicals from the Global Church

Let’s Talk About How Good God Is

Other Blogs

Our indoor playground is currently closed due to construction. Keep an eye on our website for updates.

• Pre-Marriage
• Young Adults
• Bible Communities
• Hope & Healing
• Young Families
• Arise Special Needs
• Child Dedication
• IBC Connect
• IBC en español

What are you looking for?

Sacrificial love, by tricia kinsman.

Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. -1 John 3:16

During this month of February where we focus our attention on those we love, I have often asked myself what sacrificial love should really look like. Having experienced loss, trauma, and abuse, sacrificial love for me tends to cross over into what looks more like codependency than the love Christ offers us. This often leaves me asking how I am to love myself while I’m loving others.

Sacrificial love begins and ends with God. It thinks more highly of God’s love for someone else than for my rights. Sacrificial love does not thrive to support my individualism, my comfort, or my desires. It focuses on the highest good of another person.

But what happens when it all goes south? What happens when our attempts at sacrificial love land us in unhealthy patterns, codependency, and emptiness? It’s at points like these that we need to ask ourselves if we might be carrying an unhealthy definition of sacrificial love.

Does sacrificial love always look for the best good of another person? That answer is a resounding YES . Does it discount MY needs? Absolutely NOT . Does is call me to give up my rights? SOMETIMES IT DOES.

What IS the way of Jesus when it comes to sacrificial love?

Let’s first take a look at what it’s not.

Sacrificial love is NOT pouring out to the empty point. It is not discounting my needs. I have a need for love, health, relational reciprocation, and time with God. When I discount or deny those needs, I am exhibiting either a trauma response, codependency, or grandiosity . The command to love like Jesus gets us twisted up sometimes in the false idea that I surrender all of me for the best good of you. If we look at the verses above without context, we can often find ourselves in a world of hurt as we live for everyone else and deny that we need anyone or anything. It is so easy to get caught up in thinking God will take care of me while I take care of everyone else . And we find ourselves months, maybe years later, living half a life: burned out and unhealthy physically and spiritually. Sacrificial love is not living without any expectations, needs, or feelings and as if we are invincible.

So, what does it mean to sacrifice for the best good of others?

Here is what Jesus’ example leads us to understand about sacrificial love. Though He was fully God, He was also fully man and showed us how to be a fully healthy human being. Jesus recognized His own needs, gave them space in His life, and took care of His health and His soul. He was not a loner, but instead brought others alongside him as companions to carry the load.

Jesus recognized that He needed friends . He spent time with human beings enjoying a good meal, good wine, resting with them, talking with them, and filling His tank up.

Jesus recognized he needed to take care of His soul . He went away to spend time with His Father. He saw His need for connecting His own soul to that of His sender, His truth-teller, His comforter.

Jesus delegated the work. He entrusted some of the work to his disciples while He walked this earth and prepared them to carry on that work when He was gone. He knew that this not only helped accomplish the goal of the spread of the gospel, but it also accomplished the goal of spiritual formation in His disciples.

Jesus knew Himself and His purpose here clearly. Jesus used His voice when it was appropriate and chose not to speak when it served His purposes. This choice to keep silent in the face of accusations did not come from a place of fear or shame and was not a discounting of His own truth. It was a healthy, deliberate act to allow the goal of His time on earth to be accomplished.

Jesus laid his life down, yes! He sometimes gave up His right to speak the truth on His own behalf. He cared for the sick and dying, for the souls of others. But He did all these things from a healthy place, a full tank, a place of purpose. Jesus knew Himself and did not discount His needs. He knew His part to play and knew He needed others to play their parts as well. He enjoyed time with friends and took care of His health and His soul while He did hard things.

For those of us who easily discount our own needs for the needs of others, we would do well to take a look at the life of Jesus. He loved sacrificially; He IS love itself. Yet He kept appropriate boundaries and is our example of how to love ourselves sacrificially as well. After all, the command to us is to love our neighbor AS we love ourselves.

We Recommend Reading Next:

When jesus was tender and when he was tough, the beauty of community when life feels broken, my cancer story.

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

God as Sacrificial Love: A Systematic Exploration of a Controversial Notion

Sacrificial love is a prevailing topic throughout the Christian tradition, and is often thought to bring us closest not only to the historic actions of God in the form of Jesus, but to the very heart of God. As such it is understandably perceived as integral to most Christian visions of moral life. In dialogue with a range of post-enlightenment critiques of Christian theologies regarding sacrificial love, Asle Eikrem presents an unconventional systematic approach to this multi-layered and complex theological topic. From Hegel to prominent 20th century theologians, from feminist theologies to post-modern philosophers, this volume engages in a critical conversation with a host of different voices on all the classical topics in theology (creation, trinity, incarnation, atonement, sin, faith, sacraments, and eschatology), also providing a moral and socio-historical vision for Christian living. The result is a unique appraisal of the significance that the life and death of Jesus holds for the world today.

Related Papers

Oxford Bibliographies Online Datasets

Stephen Finlan

Bibliographic article showing important works on many aspects of Atonement: theories about Hebrew sacrifice, Greek sacrifice, Paul's metaphors, classic theories of atonement, critics and defenders of these theories, and how atonement relates to other key themes (reconciliation, redemption, purity).

Thomas-Andreas Põder

What is worship? What happens in the Divine Service? The following dogmatic discussion on the nature of the Divine Service attempts to uncover the important features, included in the concept of the Divine Service, which may be hidden or on the background in our daily language use. The discussion is divided into four parts: (1) the Divine Service as a command: the worshipping nature of human being; (2) the Divine Service as grace: the Triune God is serving us; (3) liturgical (divine) service of the Church of Christ: communication of the Gospel and song of praise; (4) Table of Grace: communication of the grace of God and thanksgiving. The fourth part concludes with a look at the principles of theological ethics in the framework of the theology of the Divine Service. Therefore, this treatise could be supplemented by one more part, focusing on theological ethics, namely (5) the Divine Service in the everyday life of the world: life in the Spirit, or Christian freedom.

David Thiele

Ph.D. examining the High Priestly christology of Hebrews through the lens of Rhetorical Criticism. This examines the relationship between the categories of "Son" and "High priest" in the Christology of Hebrews and argues for a underlying background in the Old Testament figure of Adam. The research methodology is rhetorical criticism.

Nick Norelli

Gabriella Gelardini

This article analyzes Heb 13, particularly vv. 7–19, applying the methods of spatial analysis. Of specific interest is the space described as “outside the camp” in Heb 13:11–13. As the term seems to allude to three different spaces in time, namely, the spaces outside the desert camp, outside Jerusalem, and outside Rome (the addressees’ location as generally assumed), a practice of overlapping maps can be observed, in which the first shapes all subsequent maps. This first map points to Sinai, where the ritual related to Yom Kippur was introduced. As Sinai is also the location where Israel’s leader Moses, to whom Jesus in Hebrews is compared, left the camp due to its defilement, the primary intertext underlying Heb 13 is identified in Exod 33, particularly in vv. 7–11. A detailed spatial analysis of the Sinai narrative adopting Edward W. Soja’s trialectic of Firstspace, Secondspace, and Thirdspace, together with additional readings from various Targumim as well as Philo of Alexandria, results in a useful model that seems to have served the author of Hebrews to interpret the spaces, bodies, and actions in ch. 13. This analysis not only sheds new interpretative light on a chapter widely considered to be a crux interpretum but also strengthens the position that this chapter is an integral part of the preceding text in Hebrews.

Gabriella Gelardini , Harold Attridge

Hans Schaeffer

Gepubliceerd als: Schaeffer, Hans; Createdness and Ethics. The Doctrine of Creation and Theological Ethics in the Theology of Colin E. Gunton and Oswald Bayer, Walter de Gruyter: Berlin/New York 2006

Scholars of Hebrews have repeatedly echoed the almost proverbial saying that the book appears to its reader as a "Melchizedekian being without genealogy". For such scholars the aphorism identified prominent traits of Hebrews, its enigma, its otherness, its marginality. Although Franz Overbeck might unintentionally have stimulated such correlations, they do not represent what his dictum originally meant. Writing during the high noon of historicism in 1880, Overbeck lamented a lack of historical context, one that he had deduced on the basis of flawed presuppositions of the ideological frameworks prevalent of his time. His assertion made an impact, and consequently Hebrews was not only "othered" within New Testament scholarship, its context was neglected and by some, even judged as irrelevant altogether. Understandably, the neglect created a deficit keenly felt by more recent scholarship, which has developed a particular interest in Hebrews’ contexts. Hebrews in Contexts, edited by Gabriella Gelardini and Harold W. Attridge, is an expression of this interest. It gathers authors who explore extensively on Hebrews’ relations to other early traditions and texts (Jewish, Hellenistic, and Roman) in order to map Hebrews’ historical, cultural, and religious identity in greater, and perhaps surprising detail. Biographical note Gabriella Gelardini is Associate Professor of New Testament (Privatdozentin) at the Theological Faculty of the University of Basel. Apart from numerous lexicon articles, essays, and short entries on Hebrews, her publications on the Epistle include, "Verhärtet eure Herzen nicht": Der Hebräer, eine Synagogenhomilie zu Tischa be-Aw (Brill, 2007) and the edited volume Hebrews: Contemporary Methods—New Insights (Brill, 2005; SBL, 2008). Harold W. Attridge is the Sterling Professor of Divinity at Yale University Divinity School. He is the author of a commentary on Hebrews (Hermeneia, 1989) and numerous essays on the Epistle. Readership In accordance with the concept of this book its authors include not only experts in New Testament scholarship but also of specialists in Hebrew Bible, Second Temple Judaism, Talmud, and Classics. Accordingly, this volume will be of interest not only for students of Hebrews and the New Testament but also for colleagues engaged in those other subject areas.

Jack Kilcrease

Bible and Interpretation

Paul N Anderson

This essay is an expanded version of the essay published in "John and Judaism: A Contested Relationship in Context," Resources for Biblical Study 87 (Atlanta: SBL Press, 2017) 265-311. It includes expanded sections on the Johannine situation, John's composition, and an extended bibliography.

RELATED PAPERS

Peter Noble

James Ambrose Lee II

Dialog: A Journal of Theology

Don W. Springer

Francois Tolmie

Richard Bell

Martin Bieler

Judson Greene

Tanase Nichifor

Stuart George Hall (éd.) ; "Jesus Christ today. Studies in christology in various contexts. Proceedings of the Académie internationale des sciences religieuses, Oxford 25-29 August 2006 and Princeton 25-30 August 2007"- p. 179-208 (ISBN : 978-3-11-020959-4)

Benoit Bourgine

David W Congdon

Michael Kibbe

Martin Bucer Seminary

Thomas K Johnson

Bobby Jamieson

Octavian Florescu

Charles Puskas

Nicholas de Lange

Studia Theologica - Nordic Journal of Theology 2014, 169-183

Knut Alfsvåg

Andrew McGowan

David S. Sytsma

Published in Kenneth Mtata, Karl-Wilhelm Niebuhr and Miriam Rose (eds.), Singing the Songs of the Lord in Foreign Lands. Psalms in Contemporary Lutheran Interpretation. LWF DOC 59, pp. 91-104.

Urmas Nommik

Ontology and Ethics: Bonhoeffer and Contemporary Scholarship - edited by Adam Clark and Michael Mawson

Jeff Nowers

Christopher J Donato

Pro Ecclesia

Mickey L Mattox

Daniel Waldschmidt

Johannes Zachhuber

Travis B. Williams

Romans and the Legacy of St Paul. Historical, Theological, & Social Perspectives

Paul Gavrilyuk

CORNELIU C. SIMUȚ

Charles Lee Irons

PD Dr. Jens Wolff

Rostislav Tkachenko

Ben D Craver

Leopoldo Cervantes-Ortiz

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

A Story Worth Telling

Finding redemption through one another's journey…, the power of sacrificial love.

“Love never fails…. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known….And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:8,12-13 NIV

No doubt, 2015 will go down in the records as a very turbulent and traumatic year for my family and friends…

On Saturday evening, February 21, 2015, Molly Griffin and her friend Emily Krieghoff were struck by another car as they were turning on to Friant Road off Copper Avenue. The car that struck them was driven by a person under the influence of alcohol.  Molly was killed instantly and Emily was critically injured. There was a passenger in the other car who was also killed in the accident.  Prior to this tragic accident, Molly had just graduated from the Nursing Program at Fresno State and had earned a full time job as an OR Nurse at Madera Community Hospital.  She had a very exciting career caring for others yet ahead of her.

Molly’s dad, Doug Griffin, plays a key role in our church, Clovis Hills Community Church.   Doug has been a longtime lead teacher in our children’s ministry. Doug’s wife, Doris, is also a long time member and volunteer in our church.  Doug has helped disciple many children over the last two decades most recently through a program called Disciples Next Academy (DNA) that Doug felt called to start. Many generations of kids can recount that their start in their walk with Jesus began under the care of ‘Teacher Doug’. This includes my own two children, Elowyn and Gigi.  It is no surprise that Molly also chose to serve in children’s ministry.  Doug and Doris are blessed with a son, Joe, who is pursuing a successful US Navy career and another daughter, Paige, a young beautiful pre-teen the Griffin family adopted from China at the age of two. The Griffins are quite loved by our church family.  Doug and Doris have been part of different family groups committed to the Lord over the years they’ve been at the church.  Doug and I have known each other and served together over the last 10+ years volunteering in various family and children’s ministry roles.  Over the past several years, Doug has joined and remained part of a growth group that we both meet in every Monday night.

On Friday evening, July 17, Jason Newsome passed away at the age of 41 after an 18 month battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Through the prayers of many and his own strong and committed faith, Jason outlived this very aggressive form of cancer by nearly three times the average patient with this same cancer.  Prior to his diagnosis, Jason had made many changes in his life.  In 2011, his son, Markus, a young teenager convinced him and his wife, Stacy, that he wanted them to try out this new church he had visited, called Clovis Hills.

They began attending, along with Markus and their younger son, Zach.   A few months later, Jason recommitted his life to Christ, and later got baptized with both Stacy and Markus.  Zach was also baptized shortly thereafter.  They began to participate in other church sponsored events and met others who like them were trying to raise their families to be followers of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jason and Stacy joined a growth group in early 2012 that meets every Monday night, the same one that Doug was a part of.  Leah and I have also been part of this same Growth Group for several years.

About a year after joining the group, the Newsomes became the leaders eventually hosting the group each week in their home. Sensing the needed to take better care of his health, Jason stopped smoking and started jogging.  Before his diagnosis, he was running half-marathons.   Over the past four years, Jason and Stacy have served in various volunteer roles in the church.  Stacy worked alongside Doug in children’s ministry with other kids Zach’s age, while Jason focused on those Markus’ age in youth ministry. They both have volunteered often in various leadership roles to help those in need in our community with events such as Morning with the Homeless at the Fresno Rescue Mission, Faithful Feet at El Encino Church in SE Fresno, and World Changers each summer, and other similar mission events.   Their son, Markus, just recently returned from a youth mission trip to Swaziland, Africa. Because of their love for others, the Monday Night Growth Group that meets in their home has grown to nine couples and over 15 children who regularly get together to serve in all the events that Jason and Stacy would volunteer for.

I can’t explain all the reasons God permits a life like Molly’s or Jason’s to end so prematurely.  Having been a direct witness to their families lives all these years in this growth group, I can say with conviction and certainty that God has a MUCH greater plan than I can ever put to words here (see Romans 8:28).  I’ve learned to say about both of these tragic losses, that God is doing a miracle that is still unfolding in the lives of all that Molly and Jason touched.  This past weekend, Pastor Shawn recounted the story found in Mark 2:1-12 where friends of a paralyzed man dropped him through the roof of a house where Jesus was so that he might heal him.  The man was healed, and told to get up, and pick up his mat. The lesson Jesus taught was that if he can help a paralyzed man to walk upon a simple command, how much more than can our Father forgive us our past sins. By learning to “pick up our own mat”, we demonstrate to other who are ‘paralyzed by their own by sin’, what God can do even in our greatest weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).  That we have close friends who treat us like family in our growth groups gives us all much hope that we too will be lowered into the hands of Jesus gently ourselves whenever we need it.

Shawn’s message on Sunday included sharing how the Griffin and Newsome Families demonstrated this model of overcoming their past.  Shawn also shared about an unnamed third family who have been through a similar crisis as the Griffins and Newsomes.  The difference is this family was not connected with anyone else in the church and so they left feeling neglected in the church’s response to the crisis.  It would seem for this third family, they had not (as yet) found ‘friends’ who would be willing to ‘drop them’ into the presence of Jesus Christ. My prayers go out to the third family as I could not have imagined what it must be like to have gone through what we’ve been through if our Monday Night Growth Group had we not had been there for one another.

… And there, in that lesson, lies the miracle that God has shared to be discovered in the loss of Molly and Jason.   While we all clearly wish with they were still with us, we see their lives and their spirits still very MUCH alive in our hearts and that their families give us hope that we too can overcome any crisis through our Lord who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13)

Having witnessed the outpouring of love that has been received in reaction to Molly’s passing, I am humbled by just how much Doug and Doris have been able to handle the loss of their daughter. First and foremost they have forgiven the man responsible for her death.  Such an act is in keeping with their strong Christian faith that teaches us all to forgive those who wrong us just as God through Christ, forgives us.  Doug’s initial public interview with the press after the accident as well as his follow up interviews demonstrating his family’s forgiveness has really changed the focus of this tragedy from the accident to the vibrancy of Molly’s life. In fact, the way the Griffins have handled this tragedy, has amplified the light of Molly’s life such that as she is now known by many people who only came to know of her after the accident. In particular, Doug and Doris have chosen to continue to celebrate Molly’s life by declaring her birthday, August 26 as Molly Day !   We were all asked by the Griffin family to participate in “random acts of kindness” that day to help us remember who she was to others. My wife, Stacy and I decided to pass out donuts to those in the ICU Waiting Room in the hospital I work at.  Doug tagged along as well. Here’s some pictures showing how we all celebrated Molly Day!  What a marvelous way to help ensure Molly’s light continues to shine in this world.

Stacy has been touched and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love over the last several weeks from when Jason declined and eventually succumbed to cancer and left us to be with our Lord on July 17th, 2015. The following week Jason’s employer Fresno State flew the American Flag at half mast.  An honor guard attended Jason’s funeral to honor a man who had served to the country during his time in the US Navy.  During the holidays, Jason had served alongside the same group that this honor guard came from at the Wreaths across America event honoring all those who served our country.  That event was hosted in the same cemetery Jason would eventually be interned in.  This coming holiday we will honor Jason at the same event.  It was particularly comforting to see how many of Jason’s shipmates from the USS Curtis Wilbur reached out to Jason and Stacy during his final days.  In memory of Jason, the Clovis Hills Military Ministry will host a Veterans Day float featuring the Curtis Wilbur   The love for one who served others is evident in those who memorialize us once we are gone.  This is very obviously the case over the several decades that Jason lived.

Overarching all of this has been the love that I’ve witnessed Jason and Stacy’s families and our growth group have shared for Jason, Stacy and their two sons. Honestly, it would have been hard for an outsider to distinguish who was actually related to Jason or Stacy the last week Jason was with us.  I’m so proud to be part of a group of men and women who love Jesus and know that love so well that they demonstrate it in a sacrificial love for the leader who has faithfully cared for them over these past two years.  It was our privilege to be invited by Stacy to help ‘lower him into the arms of Jesus’ in his last moments. On August 14, we celebrated what would have been Jason’s 42nd birthday by posting our favorite memory of him on his FB site.

Speaking to my own personal relationship with both families, I know God has connected the Dickersons to the Griffins and Newsomes in amazing ways.  I can now say these separate stories have become our combined story of finding hope and redemption in our Lord Jesus Christ.

As I mentioned earlier, Doug has led both our kids through the prayer asking Jesus into their lives setting them on a course that brings them to this day as committed believers in our Lord and Savior.  In my “ My First Story ” I shared here in this blog a couple years ago, I told how Leah became a new believer in Jesus and I recommitted my life to Jesus.   This happened upon both of us hearing a very moving testimony of a women who lost her baby due to miscarriage… I shared this during one of the growth group meetings and Doug made the connection that we were talking about Audrey Reischauer.  Doug had been very close friends with the Reischauers even after they moved to the mid-west, and had been for some time wanting for us to meet them because of the connection that their lives had made with another pivotal relationship Doug had with us.   When Molly’s memorial service was planned, the opportunity came to connect the two families which Doug arranged.  Below is a picture of these two families with Doug connecting how one family’s loss brings life to another often unbeknownst to the first family’s awareness.

Molly will always be remembered similarly by us all as a model of what we would want our daughters to become and will live long as the hope and light of peace and love available to us all through our Lord Jesus Christ

The Newsome and Dickerson Families were connected before we ever met through the Navy, which both Jason and I served in. When we first met together in our growth group at our house where we hosted it at the time, Jason noticed a picture on my bookshelf of a man in uniform getting married.  I was one of the groomsmen in the picture.  It turned out that the person in the picture ,one of my best friends from the Navy, Al Perpuse, was also one of Jason’s department heads on the USS Curtiss Wilbur. Because of the common bond we had as Navy veterans, I found it easy to want to be around Jason these past four years.   We hung out for Army-Navy games, watched war movies together, and attended various events to honor our military that our church’s Military Ministry hosted.  I witnessed Jason being mentored by Phil Dodd, the same man who came alongside me as I shared with you in my story, “ On a Journey “.  I then witnessed Jason become a mentor himself for another Navy veteran, Brian Winter, the son of Holly Cline, one of our Monday Night Growth group members.  More recently, I have watched how Jason and Stacy have come warmly alongside our latest growth group leaders, Dustin and Kat Seabolt.  It is amazing how God took a commitment to serve our nation and inspired Jason to serve others he loved through his church in the name of his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.   Watching Jason serve others in this way even knowing that the cancer in his body was increasingly limiting him physically has strengthened my own faith in Jesus.   I’m a better man because of Jason Newsome’s life and the courage and deep conviction he demonstrated even up to his death.

Jason will be remembered similarly by us all as a model of what a father, husband, son and shipmate should be to their family and friends.  His memory and influence continues to live on in each of us who know and loved and were loved by Jason.

In this story, you see that God chose to love us unconditionally… and understanding that love was sacrificial, we choose others over ourselves in the name of the same love…

I praise God for giving us Jason and Molly’s lives are a testimony to this love.

Share this:

One thought on “ the power of sacrificial love ”.

Pingback: Quarter Century and Still Going Strong | A Story Worth Telling

Leave a comment Cancel reply

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

Sacrifice and Love: an Analysis of “The Gift of the Magi”

This essay about O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” into the timeless themes of sacrifice and love. Set against the backdrop of Christmas, the story follows Jim and Della Young, a young couple facing financial struggles. Despite their hardships, they endeavor to express their love through sacrificial acts, exchanging their most cherished possessions to procure gifts for each other. Through their selfless gestures, Jim and Della embody the essence of love and devotion, highlighting the transformative power of empathy and understanding in fostering meaningful relationships. The narrative’s exploration of the paradoxical nature of love and the resilience of human connection serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring value of sacrificial love.

How it works

In the vast landscape of literature, few narratives resonate as deeply with the eternal themes of sacrifice and love as O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi.” Published in 1905, this timeless tale continues to captivate audiences with its poignant exploration of selflessness and devotion. Through the heartfelt journey of its protagonists, Jim and Della Young, O. Henry weaves a narrative that transcends its era, offering profound insights into the essence of human relationships and the transformative power of sacrifice.

Set against the backdrop of Christmas, a season synonymous with generosity and compassion, “The Gift of the Magi” unfolds as a tender story of two impoverished newlyweds endeavoring to express their affection through sacrificial acts.

Despite facing financial constraints, Jim and Della are resolute in their determination to present each other with meaningful gifts that reflect the depth of their love. Their humble circumstances become the crucible in which their devotion is tested and ultimately affirmed.

At the heart of the narrative lies the sacrificial nature of love, epitomized by Jim and Della’s willingness to relinquish their most treasured possessions for the sake of their beloved. Della’s decision to part with her luxuriant locks, her “crowning glory,” in exchange for a platinum fob chain for Jim’s cherished pocket watch, symbolizes the lengths to which she is prepared to go to demonstrate her love. Similarly, Jim’s sacrifice of his prized timepiece to procure ornamental combs for Della’s hair underscores his unwavering commitment to her happiness. Through their acts of selflessness, Jim and Della embody the spirit of the biblical Magi, who offered gifts of great value to the infant Jesus, thereby underscoring the transformative power of love and sacrifice.

Furthermore, O. Henry employs irony as a narrative device to underscore the profound truths underlying Jim and Della’s sacrifices. The revelation that Della’s gift is rendered futile by Jim’s sacrificial gesture, and vice versa, serves as a poignant reminder of life’s unpredictability and the paradoxical nature of love. Yet, far from diminishing the significance of their sacrifices, this irony accentuates their sincerity and underscores the profundity of their mutual devotion. Indeed, it is through their shared sacrifices that Jim and Della discover the true essence of love – not in material possessions, but in the selfless acts that bind them together.

Beyond its exploration of sacrificial love, “The Gift of the Magi” also offers profound insights into the transformative power of empathy and understanding in fostering meaningful relationships. Despite initial despair over the apparent futility of their gifts, Jim and Della’s mutual comprehension of each other’s intentions fosters a profound sense of unity and intimacy. Their realization that the true value of their gifts lies not in their material worth, but in the love and thoughtfulness they embody, serves as a testament to the resilience of human connection in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi” stands as a timeless testament to the enduring themes of sacrifice and love. Through the poignant journey of Jim and Della Young, the narrative illuminates the transformative power of selflessness and the profound truths that underlie human relationships. In a world often consumed by materialism and superficiality, the story serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring value of sacrificial love and the profound significance of the bonds that unite us. As readers reflect on Jim and Della’s journey, they are invited to contemplate the true meaning of love – a gift that transcends the boundaries of time and circumstance, and endures through acts of selflessness and devotion.

Cite this page

Sacrifice and Love: An Analysis of "The Gift of the Magi". (2024, Mar 25). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/sacrifice-and-love-an-analysis-of-the-gift-of-the-magi/

"Sacrifice and Love: An Analysis of "The Gift of the Magi"." PapersOwl.com , 25 Mar 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/sacrifice-and-love-an-analysis-of-the-gift-of-the-magi/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Sacrifice and Love: An Analysis of "The Gift of the Magi" . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/sacrifice-and-love-an-analysis-of-the-gift-of-the-magi/ [Accessed: 17 Apr. 2024]

"Sacrifice and Love: An Analysis of "The Gift of the Magi"." PapersOwl.com, Mar 25, 2024. Accessed April 17, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/sacrifice-and-love-an-analysis-of-the-gift-of-the-magi/

"Sacrifice and Love: An Analysis of "The Gift of the Magi"," PapersOwl.com , 25-Mar-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/sacrifice-and-love-an-analysis-of-the-gift-of-the-magi/. [Accessed: 17-Apr-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Sacrifice and Love: An Analysis of "The Gift of the Magi" . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/sacrifice-and-love-an-analysis-of-the-gift-of-the-magi/ [Accessed: 17-Apr-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

Sacrificial love attains for us a deeper relationship with Christ

• Bishop's Columns

• Becoming Catholic
• We Pledge . . .
• The Diocese Youth Protection Website
• About Youth Protection
• How to Report Abuse
• Report Bishop Abuse
• Survivor Assistance
• Prayer for Healing Victims
• Youth Protection Policy
• Review Board
• Certificates and Requirements
• Codes of Conduct
• Online Training
• Safe Environment Program
• USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
• Catholic Witness
• School Policies and Regulations
• Religious Education Policies and Regulations
• Reorganization
• Adult Faith Formation
• Catholic Organizations
• Catholic Charities
• Catholic Links
• Christmas Bazaars
• Disability Accommodations
• Make a Donation
• Ministry Development
• Papal Blessings
• Papal Audience Tickets
• Prayers for Confession
• Scripture for Discernment
• The Tribunal
• Voter Resources
• Education Careers

• About Our Diocese
• Diocesan History
• Growth of Catholicism
• Diocesan Financial Report
• 150th Anniversary of the Diocese
• Meet Our Bishop
• Bishop’s Calendar
• Gospel Reflections
• Former Bishops of Harrisburg
• Offices Listing
• Office of the Bishop
• Office of Communications
• Office of the Vicar General
• Secretariat for Clergy and Consecrated Life
• Catholic Schools
• Office for Divine Worship
• Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs
• Office of Evangelization
• Office of Stewardship & Development
• Office of Vocations
• Secretariat for Administrative Services
• Burial Options and Services
• Cemetery Flower Program
• Decoration Guidelines
• Respect for the Dead
• The Final Things
• Find a Parish, Church or Mass Time
• ADA Accommodations
• Eucharistic Adoration
• Forty Hours Solemn Eucharistic Devotion
• Festivals & Picnics
• About Catholic Schools
• ‘Christ Before Me’ Strategic Vision
• Tuition Assistance
• Find a Catholic School
• Golden Apple Award
• School Employment Applications & Search
• Instructional Support Advancement
• Elementary Curriculum
• Technology Curriculum
• Religion Curriculum
• About Religious Education
• Policies and Regulations
• Homeschooling Policy
• Adult Education and Catechist Formation
• Diocesan Institute for Catechetical and Pastoral Formation
• Laity and Family
• The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
• Campus Ministry
• Catholic Scouting
• Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)
• Religious Education
• Youth & Young Adults
• Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs
• Multicultural Ministries
• Respect Life Ministries
• Courage Ministry
• Disabilities Ministry
• Evangelization
• Health and Pastoral Care Ministry
• Pontifical Missions
• Prison Ministry
• Vocations in the Diocese of Harrisburg
• How to Build a Culture of Vocations
• Plan of Life
• About the Priesthood
• Are You Called to be a Priest?
• Find a Priest
• Letter of Suitability
• About Deacons
• Permanent Diaconate FAQ
• Find a Deacon
• About Consecrated Life
• Meet Our Seminarians
• Serra Clubs
• St Thérèse Vocation Society
• Fishers of Men
• Vocation Discernment
• Vocations and Discernment FAQ
• Stewardship & Development
• Diocesan Annual Campaign
• General Donations
• Planned Giving
• Estate Planning
• Small Games of Chance
• EITC Program
• Neumann Scholarship Foundation
• OSTC Program Information for Businesses
• Catholic Communication Campaign
• Pennies For Life
• Pentecost Collection
• The Matthew 25 Collection
• Fishers of Men Appeal
• Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Penance and Reconciliation
• Foundational Documents of CST
• Seven Themes of CST
• Confirmation
• Marian Consecration
• Bishop’s Blog: A Time of Reflection
• Diocesan News
• Media Releases
• The Catholic Witness Newspaper
• Candid Catholic Convos
• Live Streaming
• Truth & Life Channel
• Media Requests
• Catholic Perspective Radio Program
• The Diocesan Youth Protection Website
• Sacrificial Love

During a recent jubilee Mass, the priest celebrant gave a truly amazing homily about the nature of God and love. I was instructed to record the homily so that the individuals celebrating their jubilee could reflect on the message.

As I type this, the recording is playing in the background. In his homily, Father reminded us that we are called to love one another as Jesus loves us. Think about this. Jesus is God and his love is divine as well as eternal. How can mere human beings love with that same type of love? The short answer: We can’t. However, we are called to love over and over again, to love others each day with sacrificial love. THIS we can do!

We are then driven to ask, “So, what’s sacrificial love?” According to Bing, “Sacrificial love is self-sacrifice with the pure motivation to alleviate the suffering of others. This supreme love is suffering love, love that requires involvement in the knotty problems of the world, love that bears with the failings and weaknesses of others, love that is committed to helping others regardless of the cost.”

I know when I originally read those words, my mind felt like it was exploding. Let’s step away and approach this in another manner. In his encyclical on the devotion to the Sacred Heart, Pope Pius XII says it this way, “… devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the most effective school of the love of God; the love of individuals, families, and nations …. The reign of Jesus Christ takes its strength and form from divine love: to love with holiness and order its foundation and its perfection. From it these must flow: to perform duties without blame; to take away nothing of another’s right; to guide the lower human affairs by heavenly principles; to give the love of God precedence over all other creatures.” 1

In a sense, sacrificial love is about freedom. Let me explain. Choosing to give something up or performing an action for the sake of another is what makes a sacrifice real. If the act is not chosen freely but rather forced, it becomes a demand, a duty or an expectation. In a sense, without freedom to choose, the action is not a love gift.

For me, it’s a call to examine my motivations and perceptions. Why do I do what I do? Learning the reason for our actions, reactions and perceptions is probably the hardest part of our journey to learn how to love as Jesus did because it takes constant and daily work.

Is this type of love really possible? Oh yes! Just look at the cloud of witnesses, the saints, who join us when we praise God at every liturgy. In addition to these holy ones, Jesus gave us the means to learn to love in this manner: the Eucharist.

When we gather for the Eucharist, let us be aware of the love of Jesus. We, with him, offer ourselves to the Father as his son and daughter. By prayerful participation in the Eucharist and living out our understanding of sacrificial love, we bring the reality of divine love to earth. We learn to love as Jesus loved!

1 Enclyclical of Pope Pius XII, On Devotion to the Sacred Heart, May 15, 1656, paragraph 123

By Sister Geralyn Schmidt, SCC, Special to The Witness

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

What is Sacrificial Love and Why it is Important in a Relationship?

Home Love & Relationships What is Sacrificial Love and Why it is Important in a Relationship?

Updated on Nov 09, 2022

Have you ever heard about sacrificial love ? Well, it’s nothing but a form of love that requires selfless and genuine behavior towards your partner.

Love is one of the most beautiful things you can ever experience if it’s with the right person.

To love someone , you have to not only understand the love of God but show them. It’s not enough to know that you need to make your spouse happy, you have to go out & do things for them.

It’s hard to tell whether people really mean it when they say “I can do anything for you” these days. Too often, relationships are spoiled by selfishness . 

It might sound romantic, but this doesn’t always lead to the kind of sacrificial love that marriage is based on.

Therefore, any relationship requires sacrifices; it might be small or huge. But it’s necessary to avoid selfishness in order to sustain relationships.

In this article, you will come to know about sacrificial love and how you can use it to improvise your relationship or marriage. 

Sacrificial Love Infographics

Sacrificial Love Meaning

Summary Sacrificial love, also known as agape love, is the type of trust that can hold marriages together. It’s selfless, unconditional which means it helps with forgiveness in arguments, respect when raising children, and uniting as a family.

Sacrifice is important in any relationship, it could be with your parents, siblings, spouse or anyone. It means loving the other person without expecting anything back and doing what you do for them without thinking about how it might affect you. 

Giving up some of your own desires can be a key component to maintaining happy relationships, whether it’s in the context of love or friendships. 

Sometimes we’re scared to want something too much for ourselves if it means sacrificing the other people in our life. We may be holding back love because of fear of rejection, codependency, unrequited love , or other causes.

Unfortunately, there are still a lot of couples who lack romantic and intimate love. People believe that when this romantic love is not shared in their relationship, there’s no incentive to hold it together. 

But sacrificial love acts as an adhesive that keeps your marriage intact so you can focus on the other areas which need work. 

Here are some ways that sacrificial love is lived out in marriage:

• Men need love too, and it’s important to remember that when you don’t necessarily like them or think they deserve it.
• You should never neglect your family, even if they don’t show their appreciation sometimes.
• That’s not an easy thing to do but you can have a little more patience with them. We all make mistakes and sometimes we need mercy, too.
• Put your partner’s needs before your own.

Characteristics of Sacrificial Love

It’s great that you want to help couples love one another self-sacrificially at home. 

What do you think this looks like practically? 

Are there any ideas that can be communicated to show each spouse the importance of self-sacrifice? 

They can start by being generous in the way they speak and behave towards each other, treating their partner as well as they would treat themselves, and having empathy for one another’s needs.

Here are a few characteristics to help couples transition from self-centered marriages to ones that also focus on their partners. 

1. Sacrificial love is evidence of repentance of selfishness

It’s pretty likely that you share the same mindset, but even if you don’t, you’ll still be able to have an honest discussion.

If you can get a husband and wife to take a break in their marriage and acknowledge their self-focused tendencies, there is an opportunity for the couple to re-think that decision and repent.

It’s understandable to want to point the finger at someone else when things go wrong, but spouses can take a small step by turning inward and taking personal responsibility. 

2. Sacrificial love acts first before feeling

People often only love others after being loved by themselves first. Think about that for a second. Who started this cycle? Not the one who loves selflessly but the one who is loved.

One of the most common problems in marriage is getting couples to live out the theological insights they’ve acquired. 

For example, they may read passages that tell them to love one another, but because they don’t feel a loving sentiment for their partner.

Generally speaking, when we do things out of love, it’s often followed by feelings. 

Couples who are married and in love find that they spend time waiting for their spouse to fall in love with them again and wait for the same feeling on the other side before they truly reciprocate. 

The result is a vicious cycle of rejection and selfishness that leaves people feeling unfulfilled and unhappy with themselves.

Ironically, on the other side of the marriage, both parties are thinking to themselves that their spouse is kind of prickly. They’re both waiting for the other to take action.

We must live this out through how we grant and accept sincere love from our spouse. We do this by accepting them unconditionally, not just according to our own desires but according to their own as well. 

Understanding what you and your partner need out of the relationship in order to feel loved does not mean it’s their responsibility to make you happy every second.

3. Sacrificial love in the small things

You can see self-sacrificial love in the small things, like how a couple takes care of their spouse or family.

The idea of sacrificial love might sound good on paper, but there is more to it than meets the eye when you’re actually in a marriage. 

Husbands and wives have to be willing to show love to one another in all aspects of life. As a result, they’ll be presenting themselves as a holy and pleasing sacrifice.

It’s not always necessary to sacrifice big things but small things play a huge role in a relationship. You can simply watch a movie with them or cook their favorite dish by sacrificing your precious time. 

These small actions matter a lot to lead a relationship and make it successful with love and respect. 

4. Sacrificial love will pursue your spiritual well being, which in turn leads to a sense of oneness

It is believed that all kinds of intimacy – physical and emotional – come from a person’s spiritual intimacy. Without it, it’s near impossible to give anything meaningful. 

It’s hard to see married couples with difficulties who haven’t been lacking in this area. The spirituality in marriage helps build deeper spiritual intimacy. 

As husband and wife draw closer spiritually, they’ll also draw closer to each other.

Patience and understanding with each other grow when both focus on spending time with him and obey his responsibilities.

It’s all about the individual spouse. It helps put the responsibility back onto each person. You need to focus on your relationship with the creator, tending to any weeds of sin which come in crowds and obscure your love for him. 

It’s about exercising caution and restraint in situations involving other people. It’s not about what has to be done to change or correct your spouse.

That way, it helps us appreciate the good things in life and avoid spending too much time criticizing, blaming or badgering people around us. 

This can be a tough reality to deal with, but they should know that there are no techniques – tried time and time again – that will produce the desired effect. 

Sacrificial Love in Relationships

When you have been the shoulder to cry on for a person in need, often abandoning other plans to be there when they need you most. It’s really something that binds good people together.

Small gestures often go overlooked but can mean the world to the people you care about. Sacrifices in relationships are an indication that you’re committed to those you love.

The idea of self-sacrifice is found to be very powerful. Sacrifices build strong character, shared intimacy, and deep trust in our relationships.

Sacrificing in relationships doesn’t have to be these all-encompassing gestures. Small things can also make a big difference.

They are small, everyday actions that are motivated by giving. Think picking up groceries when you know someone is just too tired.

Why is it important?

It’s just a little gift that makes life easier.

Sacrifices are always hard, but they’re ultimately necessary if you want to maintain good relationships. As it turns out, there’s a direct correlation between the size of a sacrifice and relationship satisfaction.

Putting your time and devotion into a partner doesn’t make you a pushover. It means you’re a giving human being and that will be repaid 10-fold!

In a relationship, it is important to give a little to get a little and sacrifice for the person you love. Take some time to think about everything you are willing to do for the person you’re committed to.

• How do you feel when your partner is exhausted and has picked up on many of the household duties that usually fall to you such as cooking dinner?
• Do you make time for your partner during the day?
• Do you offer a place for them to share their deep thoughts even when you’re feeling worn out?
• Is there something you could give up in order to spend more time with your love & commit to this relationship?

What should you sacrifice in a relationship?

One way to have fulfilling relationships is to make sure you connect with your partner and their needs and don’t go too far in giving at the expense of your own. Here’s a list of things you can be okay about sacrificing for a healthy relationship :

1. Your personal goal

It’s not uncommon for one partner to have to sacrifice their own goals. For instance, they may have to decline a promotion because of child care responsibilities. 

As long as both partners are willing to make sacrifices at some point, the relationship should be just fine.

When a couple decides to start a family, there are many adjustments that need to be made. One of the most common is the need for one partner to sacrifice their career goals in order to provide childcare. 

As long as both partners are willing, this situation can be a positive thing.

2. Self-centered nature

In a close relationship, you need to put in enough effort. How can you expect to make it work if your life is only about “myself?” Both partners have to try and understand each other’s lifestyles and perspectives.

A relationship without compromise will not work. Being selfless isn’t something that only the other person needs to do – you need to be willing to compromise just as much, if not more.

It’s important to remember that a relationship is a two-way street. You have to be willing to compromise and put in the work just as much as your partner does. 

You don’t need to sacrifice who you are for the sake of someone else, but you should be willing to make some changes for their sake – and vice versa.

3. Bad attitude 

It’s important to find a healthy balance between the two partners, where neither of them feels uncomfortable.

Finally, while sometimes you’ll need to make sacrifices for relationships, it’s important that you ask yourself why. It is important to know if the gift is for your partner’s happiness or for some other reason. 

Gifts to improve someone’s life or make them happy may lead to a feeling of closeness and trust. But gifts that are given in exchange for something in return can be very dangerous, specifically when it comes to money. 

There is a high chance that this could lead to some serious debt problems in the future and possibly even relationship problems.

4. Past habits

It is important to focus on the qualities in a partner that do not contribute to the health of a relationship, such as bottling up emotions, running away after conflict, etc.

List all the personal habits that might be hurting your relationship and try to change them.

There are many different problems that can arise in a relationship, but the environment you create in your home is one of the most influential factors. 

There might be some common habits that could be hurting your relationship and you need to change them.

5. Habit of being unjust

You’re not doing anyone any favors by dwelling on old grievances and keep bringing them up.

It’s a waste of time and energy that could be better spent on building a new and happy future.

Grievances are the beginning of change. To heal yourself and not hold onto anger, you need to be able to let go. It’s probably for the best that they’re gone for your mental health as well.

No one needs to be perfect all the time and it might actually be impossible. It’s exhausting and not worth pursuing.

Relationships also become more difficult if you’re constantly convinced that you’re right and the other side is always wrong. It might be hard to find someone who’s confident that they’re never right.

6. Interest and hobbies that your partner doesn’t like

Maintaining hobbies & interests is really important and can bring a lot of self-fulfillment. You owe it to yourself as well as the relationship to stand up for your rights when someone tells you to give something up.

Hobbies can sometimes be difficult to juggle with a relationship and what your partner wants. But, if you genuinely enjoy them & they don’t directly conflict with your partner’s hobbies, then it shouldn’t be an issue.

What should you not sacrifice in a relationship?

Trying to change who you are for someone you love is a dangerous game. 

If your partner can’t accept who you are and it has nothing to do with them, then your identity gets lost in the process and so does the happiness that comes with it. 

Relationships where your partner always sacrifices his/her identity tend to go downhill. Knowing when it’s too much can help you figure out if he’s being used or is in a loving relationship.

Below is the stuff that you may not have to sacrifice in a relationship. Let’s understand them. 

1. Your friends and families

Nobody who cares about you should ask to be your only friend.

If your partner keeps asking you to cut ties with close friends, it’s not an overreaction to consider whether it would be better to keep your friends and break up with your partner.

When it comes to spending time with family, you make the decisions. Your partner shouldn’t try to decide how much time you spend with your family.

If a family member asks for help with something, it’s your place (not your partner’s) to decide what to do.

2. Your freedom

Pretending to be someone you are not is tough on anyone, even just for a relationship. You’re allowed to keep your independence. 

No partner should ask you to give up control over your bank account, business or personal project just so they can feel better. But there are ways of being vulnerable and letting your guard down without giving up everything.

3. Your self-love and self-esteem

You should never sacrifice yourself to the point where you hurt your own feelings. People who are too demanding will make you feel bad about yourself and you’ll both be miserable in the long run.

To cope with this, you need to stand up for yourself. If you’re assertive in defending your needs, then those who exploit that desire to keep the peace will be immersed as well.

If you invest too much in the relationship, you may lose yourself. You are unique with your own thoughts, feelings, and values.

You don’t need to change anything about yourself to have love in your life. And no one who loves you will want you to.

4. Your health and peace

A committed relationship can affect many aspects of your life and make you feel tired sometimes. It shouldn’t be damaging, though. In fact, it should bring you peace.

Making someone happy might be preventing you from getting regular health care or pursuing your spiritual interests? Talk to someone about it.

Staying on top of your workload isn’t easy, and it can take a serious toll if you keep pushing.

5. Losing yourself

Losing yourself to be there for those around you is a big sacrifice when all you want to do is spend time with them. But it also means that you will have a lot more free time.

Don’t be too concerned. You can’t please everyone, but try your best to include some of these.

It’s not going to make them any happier if they get their way every time – you’ll just end up having no say in anything.

Ways to practice sacrificial love in a relationship

Any relationship needs sacrifices. When you people decide to share life together, they have to go through a lot of faces in life. And one of them is making sacrifices to be with your partner. 

However, the definition of sacrifice is different for every person. Some might think it only means making compromises for adjusting in one’s life. 

But, some might believe that it is not really necessary to make sacrifices for being with someone. 

If you are someone who wants a happy and healthy relationship then making sacrifices is a part of it. 

But how can you sacrifice love for your partner? It’s not necessary to prove your love by giving up something precious or making irrelevant sacrifices. 

For making your job easier, you can follow these ways and make your partner feel precious and loved.

Read on to find out.

1. Do serious things that you can do to show that you care

You can go beyond the typical date night and do something a little more personalized to really show your partner how much they mean to you. 

This category might contain some tasks you’re not totally keen on but are willing to do for the person you love because it means a lot to them.

For example, you might not want to work an overtime shift at your job and you take it because your family needs the money. 

It’s great when someone notices you going out of your way to do something thoughtful, like washing a load of dishes or vacuuming the house. 

They’ll appreciate what you’re doing and it will mean a lot to them because they’ll see that it’s important to you that they always have their needs met and that the family is taken care of.

The holidays are a time to spend with your loved ones, but maybe you don’t get along with those who are an integral part of their family. 

Your partner knows that this makes you uncomfortable, but they also know how important it is for you to spend time with them since they have made a big effort to make it possible for you.

2. Sacrificing career that demands your time and energy

There are some careers that are really demanding of your time and energy. You end up coming home late at night and exhausted all the time. 

All you really want to do when you get home is sleep, but tomorrow you’ll have to wake up early for work yet again. 

It’s normal that your significant other will get frustrated with a setup like this, but you might be able to fix it by just listening more. 

Some people choose to switch careers or get a job that requires less of their time so they can dedicate more of the remaining time to their loved ones.

When married, there is sometimes the sacrifice of a career. This often goes to the wife who leaves her job to take care of the family – especially their children. 

Some people will give up their careers and take a lower-paying job so they can live near their home and family.

3. Leaving your place to live with them together

If you’re in a different town and your partner is also in a different town, you’ll need to ask where they work and, once you know where it is, whether or not you’re ok with moving there. 

Some couples will decide that it’s too hard for one person to make the move solo so they share the burden. Whichever decision is made this week always settles down. 

You don’t seem too excited to move there, but it’s the only way you’ll be able to see each other. On the bright side though, you’ll soon find that place isn’t so bad once you live there. Way better than staying thousands of miles away!

4. If necessary, sacrificing religion 

In many relationships, one of the most difficult sacrifices to make is converting to their partner’s faith. For some people, however, there’s a big payoff in what they see as the spiritual world. 

For example, if you were raised a Catholic and have devoted your life to being religious, rejecting your religion is going to be difficult. 

Despite what many people think, love isn’t just about finding someone who is close to you. Deep and  meaningful relationships with your spouse can be formed by respecting their beliefs & faith. This would create a better bond with your partner. 

That being said, there are also relationships that work out even if the couple belongs to a different faith. The sacrifice in this situation is to give each other a great deal of respect when it comes to their beliefs and not misunderstand each other.

5. Sacrifice living alone

Sometimes relationships require you to scale back your activities, but meeting the right person can make these changes worth it. 

All you want to do when dating someone is spend all of your time with him or her. Some people would sacrifice everything for love. 

They might even cut other people out of their life if those individuals don’t support their relationship with the special someone. It’s a sad reality but when you love someone, you’re willing to do pretty much anything.

6. Bad habits your partner doesn’t like

Both men and women have their way of enjoying life. Once they get into a serious relationship , they would avoid similar things to what their significant other does. 

We often hear stories of couples saying “he changed me” or “she changed me.” 

In reality, it’s the other way around; your significant other is just there to support you and help you change. You changed because you wanted to, and it was out of love.

7. Listen to them every time

Sacrificial love tells us that there are times when we need to keep quiet and times when it’s appropriate to speak up. For example, when we witness injustice or need to call out people who are behaving unethically.

Love is the process of having to sacrifice your own opinion from time to time so that you can have an open dialogue with your partner. 

This is crucial for any strong relationship because it ensures that both people are on board with the decision and understand how it will affect them.

You show someone you care and respect them by really listening when they talk so they know you’re right there with them. 

And this will make your partner more open to telling you what’s happening inside their head, which will make overall communication easier.

8. Spend time with them

In order to make time for your loved ones, you are giving up on some of the free evenings and weekends that you could have spent doing the things you love.

The world is full of things to do, places to go, and people to see. It’s difficult to find the time for yourself amidst all the chaos. 

That said, it’s equally important to take care of yourself by having “me-time” and spending quality time with those you love.

9. Keep your promises

Being a partner, you should always keep your promises. In simple words, if you have told your partner that you will do this for them in the coming future, then you should do it when that particular time arrives. 

For instance, if you are telling your partner that I will take you to Paris after two months, then you should fulfill that promise after two months. 

However, you should try your best to do so until or unless there will be some emergency or any happenings occur. But you should clarify that if something happens like that. 

In this matter, if you leave your work and give your best time to your partner, this is considered as a sign of sacrifice for your love. 

10. Have sympathy and empathy

Empathy for your spouse is essential and can benefit your relationship in a variety of ways. It allows you to see things from their point of view and make decisions that please both parties.

Being able to identify with the other person’s feelings will make it easier for you to develop emotional intimacy.

In order to establish emotional intimacy, it is important to have a mutual understanding of the other person’s feelings. We all know that this is not always easy, but there are ways to make it easier. 

One way is by asking open-ended questions, which will help you understand their emotions better and make them feel like you care about what they’re going through.

11. Give your best without expecting

Sacrificing yourself for your partner often means sacrificing time, emotional labor, and empathy.

According to a study , people who live with their partners give 53% more of themselves than those who don’t.

This is because they are often sacrificing time, emotional labor, and empathy for the well-being of their partner.

You show your partner love not because you want something in return, but because you love them.

The old saying “you get out what you put in” is really true. If you are always looking for ways to make your partner’s life better and more stress-free, they’ll likely return the favor.

12. Avoid distractions while being together

Instead of watching TV all evening and texting on your phone, try to reconnect with your partner .

Technology is ruining our ability to have face-to-face conversations with one another and this can lead to increased feelings of loneliness. 

It’s not uncommon for people to spend their evenings watching TV and texting on the phone. 

Try switching up your evenings by getting off of social media, turning off the TV, and talking with your partner instead!

It is said that spending quality time with your significant other can help improve intimacy in your relationship, provide a better sex life, lower divorce rates & help you communicate better with your partner. 

This also results in stronger feelings of commitment and togetherness as a couple.

13. Work through the hard times

Relationships take a lot of effort and if you’re finding it hard to be happy in your marriage then maybe you need to look at that relationship more closely.

Instead of giving up or settling for a marriage that doesn’t work, sacrificial love for your partner will drive you to keep working on your marriage.

Married couples usually have to work together to sacrifice for each other at some point. It is believed that forgiveness is important in this context because it leads to lower stress levels and improved mental health.

14. Try new things to keep the relationship fresh

Mixing sacrifice and love is good when it’s managed properly. Sacrificial love often involves doing things for your partner even when you don’t feel like it.

There are so many ways to show a spouse how much you love them. Shoveling the snowy driveway because they hate it. Making breakfast for them on early Saturday mornings. 

Watching movies they love, even when you’re not interested in the genre. Putting your family ahead of yourself, whether it’s for something as simple as making dinner or walking the dog.

Putting the needs of your partner before your own is necessary for a successful relationship, but you shouldn’t be doing things that make you uncomfortable, just for their sake.

Crossing personal boundaries is not an aspect of marriage that means sacrifice.

Sacrificing aspects of your personality to maintain a marriage is not necessary. The important thing to remember is that you can have as many different personalities as you want and still have a successful marriage.

15. Pray for your spouse

One of the easiest ways to start this is to simply pray for your wife or husband. It’s not enough to pray for their needs, but even about what they hope for and dream for both at work and home. 

Pray too that God would give them wisdom in relationships with others. 

There are many ways to pray for your spouse, and one of them is having faith that they deepen their relationship with God. It’s also imperative to have faith that both you and your spouse are raising children who will know the Lord.

No, it doesn’t mean that you should pray to change your spouse – or their traits. You’re praying for them to succeed and for you to be the support they need. 

God might help ‘fix’ our other half in a different way than what we’ll like – but it’s best that we listen and let Him do as He wants.” If you pray for your spouse to change, stop yourself. 

Sacrificial love means praying for your spouse in a way that acknowledges you see him or her as God’s creation.

16. Pray for yourself

If you’re religious, look to prayer and sacrificial love Bible verses for guidance.

Jesus sacrificed a lot from love and was always happy to do so. His attitude was always positive and kind, even when he was tired

He taught us that we should never be upset with people and always be kind to others. He sacrificed a lot of himself for love, as he died on the cross for our sins.

There are many scriptures relating to the importance of sacrifice and love. These scriptures can help guide you on your journey to mastering agape love in your marriage.

Prayer can be a valuable tool for people who have strong faith. It’s not just a way to find comfort, but also a way to shift perspective when they are going through difficult times. 

Prayer can help people come closer together and make them feel more loved by God. Therefore, you should pray to god for the betterment of your relationship.

Examples of Sacrificial Love

People change over time, they grow and evolve as they spend their days with those they love. When you’re in love, you focus on the one who is by your side, and your life changes in that way. 

Some relationships can be hard to maintain and it doesn’t feel good to have to give up a lot just for your partner. If you’re the only one who’s invested while they’re not giving anything in return, then your relationship might be toxic . 

Here are a few examples to help you make the right decisions so that the little sacrifices you make in your relationship bring joy and happiness to you and your partner.

1. Putting your partner before you

It’s said that you need to love yourself before you can love somebody else. 

That may be an oversimplification, but the reality is that if you are not ok with your own self, then it may be difficult for others to trust you in time and formation. 

Once you’ve gotten to this point, it means you’re a very solid and mature individual. You’re in a state where you can tell your loved one anything and they won’t judge you.

There’s a step that comes after just wanting a partner to be happy and ensuring their needs are met. It’s when you start putting your own wants & needs on the back burner in favor of theirs. 

One example is sacrificing the things you want but they don’t in order to make them happier or vice versa. 

Giving up the last slice of pizza might not seem like a big sacrifice, but it could mean letting them decide which movie you’re going to watch or where you’re going for dinner.

Helping your partner in little ways shows them how much you care. 

They should appreciate that and try to help you back. That’s how lasting relationships usually work, and how you let someone know that their feelings for you are still there.

2. Giving them time that they deserve

Do you ever wonder if all of your sacrifices (in a relationship) are worth it? People often find themselves wondering how much time should be devoted to spending the rest of their life with someone. 

In the end, we all have lives and there will always be a balance that needs to exist between ourselves and our significant other.

Having time to spend with a partner shows that they care. You need to spend as much time with your partner as possible, if you want to really see results and enjoy strong bonding. 

It’s a pretty clear trade-off when it comes to being an in-demand couple. You know you want your partner but you also want the time to yourself so that you can do what you enjoy. 

It feels natural but if either of those things isn’t doing it for you, let them know and they can work on finding a way to resolve it.

3. Taking care of their materialistic needs

Relationships need a lot of time & effort and require you to sacrifice a lot. That includes gifting your partner every now & then. It’s important to do that. 

The idea of compromising has to do with more than just giving in to your partner’s requests. It includes difficult conversations and making compromises like adjusting how much you spend.

When one partner is a saver and the other is a spender, they may argue. In order to prevent this from happening, you should figure out which areas of your spending habits need to undergo change. 

If you share an income, how much you spend from that money is up to you. It’s important to be sensitive to your partner’s spending habits and only purchase what is necessary.

In relationships, it can be easy to assume that your partner will spend money in the same way you do. This can lead to disagreements where one person feels like their partner is spending too much. 

It’s important to be sensitive to your partner’s spending habits and only purchase what is necessary.

4. Putting your effort and energy

You should take care of yourself. That’s why if you’re running low on energy, it’s better to not say yes to a date invitation. It is important to make time for your own needs, too!

A healthy relationship is so important that partners would spend time with each other even if it involved sacrificing their own sleep. 

Giving attention to your relationship and all aspects of your life is important. You could get really guilty if your partner needed help and you weren’t there for them. 

It’s the same when you need help from them–you’ll really appreciate it. 

Plus, they won’t feel guilty about not being there for you if you helped out with something important first.

Relationships are important and two people involved must be willing to give as much effort as possible. For this reason, it can be tough to manage your time and you may find yourself feeling too tired. 

However, if you make an effort to fit activities with your partner in, this should alleviate some of the stress on yourself so that less energy is spent on them and more is spent on yourself.

5. Being a perfect partner as much as possible

Everybody is human and nobody’s perfect. In some cases, our family & friends will disappoint us too. Just because they don’t always do what we want them to, it doesn’t mean that they’re terrible people

Understand what motivates your partner, then find the best ways to show them how much you appreciate the effort they make when trying to make you happy. 

In return, they’ll put more effort into doing something small for you that may not take much of their time. Perfectionism can make us expect too much from ourselves and other people. 

This can then lead to arguments and breakdowns in relationships.

6. Avoiding self-centeredness

Focusing too much on your own needs only serves to damage your relationship. Advice-giving partners do not care how they might be affecting their partner’s feelings and generally don’t inspire affection in them.

Advice-giving partners can be a problem in a relationship. They are not interested in how their words might affect their partner, and as such, they generally don’t inspire affection. 

Advice givers also tend to take up too much space in their communication with their partner , so the advice-giving partner will often feel like they are doing more than their fair share of the talking.

Relationships need to be mutually beneficial in order for them to be good for both parties. 

One person may give a little more than the other, but as long as each partner feels like that is something they owe their partner, a happy relationship will follow. 

Even the scriptures tell us that we should put up with one another, as love means compromising. It should be a two way relationship where both of you are willing to make sacrifices.

7. Not being a private person to some extent

Today, more than ever before, people are becoming more and more concerned with how their information is stored and used. 

With the prevalence of social media, apps and the internet in general, many people are wondering how to avoid sharing their personal information.

Is it a bad idea to sacrifice your privacy in a relationship? If you’ve chosen someone to share your life with they will eventually find out secrets.

It’s natural that your partner would want to get to know more about you and things like where you work and what you do in your spare time. 

That’s not just your job and interests. It also includes your hobbies, spare time, people you spend it with and your secrets. 

As a couple, you’ll need to sacrifice your privacy to some extent. You’ll need to share personal info if you live together or intend on getting married or having kids.

A word from ThePleasantRelationship

Sacrificial or agape love is often revered as the highest form of love. Self-sacrificial love is broad, but it can really improve your relationship if you try.

Practicing sacrifice in a marriage means learning to listen, putting in the extra mile for your partner, and empathizing with their feelings. 

It also means giving when you don’t require anything in return and remaining resilient during challenging times.

When both partners make sacrifices for the other partner, you will experience a closer connection with that person and in turn, have a happier marriage.

Are you interested to know more about ‘Friendship to Love’ then click here ?

A writer by day and a reader by night, Hazra is a well-skilled freelance writer. She is tender, compassionate, authoritative and has a fun personality shine at the same time. Her valuable quality of understanding things helps her tackle even the critical situations making it the easiest of all time. She can dive deep into one's heart through her words bringing them close to oneself. She is a firm believer and achiever who loves to explore new things. Besides, she is a compulsive information seeker who is fond of reading, writing and drinking too much coffee with a laptop. When not writing, Hazra enjoys exploring the outdoors.

Signs She Cheated and Feels Guilty – 18 Gestures to Help You Identify

Signs He Wants No Strings Attached – 14 Gestures to Help You Identify Such an Individual

Signs He Is Desperate to Get Married – 12 Indications to Identify and Prepare Yourself

Signs He Wants More Than a Fling – 12 Gestures to Help You Gain Confidence

How to Treat a Guy Who Used You – 14 Techniques to Overcome and Heal

Getting Mixed Signals from a Crush – 12 Cues to Understand and Recognize Them

Dating a Workaholic – Signs & Tips to Build a Healthy Bond

Signs a Guy Wants You to Chase Him – 16 Gestures to Look Out for Before Making the Final Call

Feeling Disconnected in a Relationship – 15 Factors & Tips to Get Things Back on Track

Snuggle vs. Cuddle – How To Set Them Apart?

20 Dating Mistakes to Avoid In New Relationships

How to Get Your Partner to Open Up – 12 Effective Tips You Can Follow

“Love Is Sacrifice”: Learning To Be Selfless In Your Relationship

The art of sacrifice can be important when building a selfless and fulfilling relationship between two people. Individuals who prioritize their partner’s needs and well-being while being skilled at compromise are often successful in relationships because of the sacrifices they make. Sacrifice can seem one-sided at times, but it usually benefits both partners and promotes individual growth at the same time. Between partners, sacrifice can develop a sense of trust, intimacy, and respect. For individuals, it can develop boundaries, communication, and reflection. However, there normally needs to be a healthy balance between sacrifice and taking care of oneself. Sacrificing too much without balancing it out can lead to resentment, while only prioritizing individual needs can be inconsiderate to a partner. Understanding the benefits of sacrifice, learning strategies to maintain a healthy balance, and practicing effective communication can help individuals build healthy relationships on a foundation of respect and trust. Individual or couples therapy may help you strike the right balance between self-care and sacrifice in your relationship.

The role of sacrifice in a fulfilling relationship

Building a solid and loving partnership often requires sacrifice from both partners. Putting a partner's needs and well-being ahead of your own and making compromises for the sake of the relationship can be great examples of sacrifice. These examples often demonstrate a willingness to work together and prioritize the relationship over individual needs. 

Selflessness can also lead to increased happiness and satisfaction for both partners.  Time supports these ideas: "Scientific research provides compelling details to support the anecdotal evidence that giving is a powerful pathway to personal growth and lasting happiness. Through fMRI technology, we now know that giving activates the same parts of the brain that are stimulated by food and sex. Experiments show evidence that altruism is hardwired in the brain—and it's pleasurable. Helping others may just be the secret to living a life that is not only happier but also healthier, wealthier, more productive, and meaningful.”

When both partners are willing to sacrifice for each other, it can create trust and intimacy for both partners. This can lead to a deeper emotional connection, greater understanding, and improved communication. 

Strategies for prioritizing your partner's needs

Understanding how a partner expresses love can be an important aspect of building a healthy and fulfilling relationship. Everyone tends to have different ways of expressing and receiving love, so taking the time to understand a partner's unique love language can show them they are valued in a way that is meaningful to them. 

Effective communication and active listening can also be crucial components of a healthy relationship and sacrifice. It can be important to listen to your partner's needs, concerns, and desires while also communicating openly and honestly about your own.

Time quotes a study in which “participants were asked to record instances in which either spouse put aside personal wishes in order to meet their partner’s needs” for two weeks. Researchers assumed “the couples would reap the most benefits when acts of kindness were recognized and acknowledged—and that hypothesis proved true, for both husbands and wives. But they also found that givers reported emotional boosts even when their actions weren’t consciously noticed. In these cases, emotional benefits for the giver were about 45% greater than the benefits for the recipient.”

Showing a partner their needs and wants are valued usually involves actively prioritizing their well-being and happiness. This is not always limited to small gestures of kindness and thoughtfulness; it can also include more significant acts of sacrifice and compromise. Understanding a partner and their needs, practicing active listening and communication, and showing them that you value them can build a strong and fulfilling relationship based on mutual respect.

Maintaining a healthy balance between self-care and sacrifice

Sacrifice and selflessness are frequently important in a relationship, but understanding the importance of self-care can also be crucial. Compromise can be an important component of a successful relationship, but it typically needs to be balanced with prioritizing your own needs. Recognizing when you're sacrificing too much and when to prioritize your own needs can be challenging, but it can also be essential for maintaining a healthy balance in the relationship. Signs of sacrificing too much can include: 

Feelings of resentment toward a partner

Neglecting your own needs and desires 

Feeling burnt out in the relationship

The challenges of building a selfless relationship

Building a selfless and fulfilling relationship can be challenging, and putting your partner's needs before your own may not come naturally. One of the challenges of putting your partner's needs before your own may be the potential for feeling neglected or resentful if your own needs are not being met in the same way. Setting healthy boundaries in a relationship can be an effective way to address this challenge. This may involve respectfully communicating your needs and limits, setting boundaries, or being willing to say no or take a step back when necessary. 

Conflict can be inevitable in any relationship, even when both partners are committed to practicing selflessness. Handling conflict healthily usually involves effective communication, active listening, and a willingness to find a compromise that works for all parties. Partners who prioritize healthy boundaries and effective communication can address conflict as it arises and reach a compromise. 

Seeking professional support in relationships

Seeking professional help for relationship issues can be a valuable resource for individuals looking to improve their relationships and develop effective strategies for finding the balance between self-care and selflessness. Mental health providers specializing in relationship issues can offer guidance and support for individuals who desire to strengthen their relationships and understand selflessness on a deeper level. Speaking to a professional can help individuals identify their unique needs in a relationship and develop strategies for managing them. This may involve working on communication skills, practicing self-care and stress management techniques, or addressing specific issues related to sacrifice and compromise in the relationship. 

Online therapy can be a valuable resource for individuals looking to build fulfilling relationships and learn more about the art of sacrifice. With online therapy, individuals may have a safe and quiet space to discuss their relationship concerns and goals with a licensed mental health professional. This can be particularly important when discussing sensitive topics like sacrifice, self-care, and relationship dynamics. In addition to offering a safe space for discussion, online therapy can also provide flexibility in terms of scheduling and frequency of sessions, potentially making it easier for individuals to fit therapy into their busy lives. 

As online therapy becomes more and more reachable, it is generally becoming an increasingly effective option.  This study looked at the efficacy of online therapy in comparison to traditional in-office therapy and found that both were typically equally effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you love without sacrifice?

In general, compromise and sacrifice can be crucial for loving, healthy relationships.

What is the greatest sacrifice for love?

There have perhaps been many great examples of sacrifices for love throughout history. In 1936, for example, King Edward VIII abdicated the throne to be with the woman he loved. In Christianity, the greatest instance of sacrificing for love was likely the passion of Christ, referring to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. 

What the Bible says about love and sacrifice?

The Bible generally calls for Christians to live a life of sacrifice and compromise following Christ.

• When Will I Find Love? Medically reviewed by Majesty Purvis , LCMHC
• Losing Your Mind In Love: Sense, Logic, And Seeing Reason Medically reviewed by Arianna Williams , LPC, CCTP
• Relationships and Relations

OpenBible.info Geocoding Topical  Bible Labs Blog

What does the Bible say about ?

A ‣ B ‣ C ‣ D ‣ E ‣ F ‣ G ‣ H ‣ I ‣ J ‣ K ‣ L ‣ M ‣ N ‣ O ‣ P ‣ Q ‣ R ‣ S ‣ T ‣ U ‣ V ‣ W ‣ Y ‣ Z

35 Bible Verses about Sacrificial Love

John 15:13 esv / 95 helpful votes helpful not helpful.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:8 ESV / 61 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 ESV / 48 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 3:16 ESV / 46 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV / 40 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

1 John 4:8 ESV / 33 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 30 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 19 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

John 13:35 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 3:16-17 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1 John 4:19 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:18 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

2 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

Ephesians 3:19 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Philippians 2:1-11 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 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, ...

Romans 12:10 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

John 14:6 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

1 John 5:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

John 13:34-35 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 John 4:7 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

2 Timothy 1:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:5 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Leviticus 19:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord .

Galatians 5:13 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Romans 12:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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.

Matthew 24:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Matthew 22:36-40 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Isaiah 53:1-12 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. ...

Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

1 John 4:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Matthew 8:5-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ...

Suggest a Verse

Enter a verse reference (e.g., john 3:16-17 ).

Visit the Bible online to search for words if you don’t know the specific passage your’re looking for.

Unless otherwise indicated, all content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles , a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

At Passover, the Only Constant Is Changing Recipes

Joan Nathan, a doyenne of Jewish American cuisine, has long treasured the holiday and witnessed its evolution through food.

By Joan Nathan

In 1980, my husband Allan and I hosted our first Passover Seder at our home.

There were about eight of us: my husband’s Uncle Henik, who had numbers from Auschwitz on his arm; my Polish in-laws who’d had to flee to the Soviet Union; a few friends; and my daughter, still a toddler, racing around making us all laugh.

Recipe: Brisket

We sipped wine from the silver bar mitzvah cup my father had brought from Bavaria, but the rest of the tradition came mostly from my husband’s family. In my more assimilated German family, we would have started the Seder with Manischewitz gefilte fish cut into small pieces with toothpicks and herring in cream sauce. But at this first Seder, where I learned how traditions are adapted, how each family creates their own, and the compromises of marriage, it was my husband’s Polish Jewish traditions: a platter of gefilte fish with carrots in the eyes, sweet Manischewitz.

At Passover, the Seder table becomes an altar. Each family’s voyage personalizes the holiday, bringing with it customs and culinary adaptations of recipes. As our world gets more fluid, tradition differentiates each of us, in a good way, from everyone else. And yet, sometimes traditions need freshening up.

Once a spring festival of rebirth in the desert, Passover goes back thousands of years and has always been a ganze production, a big deal, as my mother used to say. The original menu, as outlined in the Book of Exodus, consisted of maror, which we know as arugula and later came to represent the bitterness of enslavement; unleavened bread (matzo), round and baked in an open fire; and a whole lamb roasted before dawn. That’s it. No haroseth, no gefilte fish, no chicken soup, no matzo brittle.

These days, in addition to the bitter herbs, parsley or karpas, symbolizing the fruit of the earth that awakens in spring, are now dipped in saltwater to remind us of the tears of enslavement. A hard-boiled egg, burned in the oven or with a match, represents birth and rebirth. A roasted lamb or beef shank bone, chicken leg or broiled beet (for vegetarians) illustrates the festival sacrifice.

Recipe: Whitefish Salad

And, of course, also at the table there’s often that traditional gefilte fish , though the approach has changed over the decades. Still, I feel there is something even mystical about making it.

Take my mother-in-law’s method. She taught me to mold ground pieces of pike, carp and whitefish into oval gefilte fish just as she had in Poland before World War II. She insisted on cooking the fish dumplings for 2½ hours. Early on, I reduced the time to just 20 minutes. After all, cooked is cooked.

I still make my version each Passover with friends during what we call a “gefilte fish in,” lugging pots, ground fish, ingredients and recipes to make the fish balls. But today, this Eastern European favorite has fewer and fewer takers, so I sometimes replace it with a salmon or halibut terrine, or a simple yet tasty smoked whitefish salad — served with matzo, rather than bagels — for one of the appetizing courses.

Recipe: Chocolate-Hazelnut Schaum Torte

For years, our Seder ended with my father’s favorite chremslach, a matzo fritter with which he had grown up in Germany; as well as a kiss, also called a Schaum torte, essentially a large meringue with strawberries, an emblem of spring piled on top. Recipes for the torte, carefully handwritten in German, go back generations in my father’s family. My mother learned to make it from the German-Jewish-inspired “Settlement Cookbook.”

Tradition though it was, I always found the torte too sweet, so while visiting my son’s new in-laws in Denmark, I was so pleased when Eva, David’s future mother-in-law, served a similar meringue. Hers, called Eva’s cake, was filled with bitter chocolate and roasted hazelnuts to cut the sweetness. Now that torte, in a Danish family for generations, is part of our family’s Seder.

In my decades as a food writer, I have been fortunate to host many different and special Seders. At one particularly memorable Seder, about 10 years ago, more than 40 people gathered and, after dessert, we watched the children in the annual Passover play, a family tradition started decades ago. When it was over, there was a stunning silence, and I sensed that no one wanted this evening to end. It wasn’t just a dinner party. It was a sacred space.

Follow New York Times Cooking on Instagram , Facebook , YouTube , TikTok and Pinterest . Get regular updates from New York Times Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice .

More on Food and Dining

Keep tabs on dining trends, restaurant reviews and recipes..

We scouted Chicago’s vast food scene, from stellar hot dogs and renowned Italian beefs to refined tasting menus, to find the city’s 25 best restaurants right now .

Food myths come from many sources, and American cooks have swallowed lots of them. A veteran food journalist debunked five common kitchen misconceptions .

In the fourth installment of her YouTube series, Cooking 101, the cookbook author and chef Sohla El-Waylly will help you make flawless fish .

As governments impose limits on plastic food packaging, climate-friendlier alternatives are in the works. Here are some that might be coming to a grocery store near you .

Eating in New York City

Pete Wells, our dining critic, has unveiled his annual ranking of the 100 best restaurants in New York City .

At Shaw-naé’s House on Staten Island, the owner and chef Shaw-naé Dixon serves up Southern classics  and a warm welcome to her “living room.”

Once the pre-eminent food court in Flushing, Queens, for regional Chinese cuisines, the Golden Mall has reopened after a four-year renovation. A new one in Manhattan  is on the horizon.

At Noksu, dinner is served below the street, a few yards from the subway turnstiles. But the room and the food seem unmoored from any particular place .

Opinion It’s Trump trial time at last

You’re reading the Today’s Opinions newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox.

In today’s edition:

• A presidential criminal trial that’s both shaky and consequential
• Could good defense de-escalate the Iran-Israel tensions ?
• Dating is hard when there’s almost no one around

A past (and future?) president’s first criminal trial

Happy Tax Day. Happy Boston Marathon Day. And happy Donald Trump’s Business Falsification Records Trial (Not to Be Confused With His Other Trials) Kickoff Day to all who celebrate.

The trial, which concerns Trump’s alleged laundering of hush money to cover up alleged infidelity through his then lawyer in the run-up to the 2016 election, marks the first ever criminal prosecution of a former U.S. president. (The Post’s news side is liveblogging it here .) At press time, jury selection was just about to get underway, after morning proceedings that Trump enlivened by reportedly falling asleep .

Our columnists will be observing with, we hope, greater alertness. Ruth Marcus says that in her eyes, the “shakiest case against Donald Trump” is the first to go to trial, and that makes her nervous. That’s not because there isn’t something big at stake, she writes: “This isn’t trivial — it’s serious.”

“But it’s not hard to imagine that jurors could balk — it just takes one to produce a hung jury — at shoehorning Trump’s payments to Daniels, however odious, into the tangential crime of falsifying business records.” And several other pitfalls are apparent, too. All in all, Ruth sees a possible conviction ahead but wishes prosecutors were leading off with a better hand.

Jen Rubin has another view: “It actually might be the most consequential of the four criminal cases facing the former president.” Trump’s alleged funneling of funds to quash deleterious rumors and subsequent coverup represent a genuine — and successful — duping of voters to influence the election, she writes. Jen bats down some of the objections to this case and certainly speaks for some onlookers when she says, as the proceedings finally begin, “We made it.”

Chaser: E.J. Dionne hops over to a completely different Trump legal affair — the Supreme Court’s upcoming hearing of Trump’s “claim that presidents should enjoy absolute immunity from prosecution for illegal acts performed in office” — and tackles the implications of asserting, in essence, that “it takes a criminal to be a good president.” He adds, “This has implications voters should take very seriously, including for national security.”

Offense, defense and prayers for peace

Max Boot warns of the ongoing risks of Iran’s major drone and missile attack on Israel over the weekend, which Israel mostly repelled: “The Iranians are no more eager for a bigger war with Israel than Israel is eager for a bigger war with Iran. Both sides prefer to wage a low-intensity conflict, as they have been doing for many years. … But, however much the two sides want to avoid a larger conflict, they could still stumble into one if the action-reaction cycle spins out of control.”

That’s the darker side. But David Ignatius examines the Israeli defense — which worked so well in this case — and sees a model of what de-escalation, in our all-too-aggressive modern world, should be. “The shield proved astonishingly solid — and an Iranian statement said ‘the matter can be deemed concluded’ after the failed barrage,” David writes. It feels almost too tempting of fate to hope that that’s where this particular round of aggression ends.

Chaser: Speaking of peace, Max Boot also cautions about Trump’s “peace plan” for the Russia-Ukraine war, which apparently involves Ukraine capitulating .

We don’t usually run personal ads here at Post Opinions — whaddaya think this is, the New York Review of Books? — but we’ll make an exception in this case for the latest by Maddy Butcher , who appears to have a heck of a plight on her hands.

Butcher lives in a part of the United States that doesn’t run heavily to humans. And that means that even if they’re “on the apps,” single people who live there are always just a few swipes from the bottom of the barrel — and often know (or have dated) all those prospective dates already.

“If I’m looking for an unmarried man who is active, taller than me and within 10 years of my age, there are theoretically a few hundred to choose from” in the whole county, Butcher writes.

There are a lot of consolations, though, like visible stars and plenty of horses, and when you do find a potential partner, they’re way likelier to be able to hunt their own food and fix their own car. “It’s part of the sacrifice of the lifestyle that I have here,” one single friend tells Butcher.

Anyway, if you’re interested in love and a better life in southwestern Colorado, consider this a public service announcement. Highly competent singles are waiting for you.

Smartest, fastest

• I can’t believe the Editorial Board even has to say this, but if only for the love of tiny, pre-vaccine-eligible babies whose parents would like them to avoid pneumonia, brain damage, hearing loss and other possible consequences of measles, please help keep up the community wall against the disease via the easy and safe MMR vaccine .
• Contributing columnist Keith Richburg takes a look at why South Africa’s foreign policy can seem, to American eyes, “inexplicable.”
• It’s never a good sign when mercenaries appear , writes Elliot Ackerman in a guest essay: “The ‘good wars’ — wars that must be fought and are typically fought for the right reasons — seldom rely on private armies.”

It’s a goodbye. It’s a haiku. It’s … The Bye-Ku.

From my porch I see

Ten million stars, but no men

Tumbleweed Tinder

Have your own newsy haiku? Email it to me , along with any questions/comments/compliments/complaints. See you tomorrow!