Love… The Command Which Calls Us To Sacrifice
Love that does not call us to invest ourselves in the lives of others is not love at all – it is just a self gratifying emotion. I think sometimes we miss the point of love. We love another, or others, because of what they do for us. Sometimes we look at others and say something like, “I sure do love them, look at how they give.” That may be appreciation, but it probably is not love.
Many people fall in love because of the way another person responds to them, but when the other person stops responding in the same way the love begins to grow cold. That is human love. God’s love, the Greek word is agape, is love that is not about self but it is about other. It is this love that calls us to invest ourselves in others as we sacrifice our own desires and ambitions.
As Jesus was calling his disciples to love one another he explained that to do so would require sacrifice, and it might require the supreme sacrifice; laying down our life for another. That is agape (love). It is not only a willingness to sacrifice for another, but it is the action of giving ourselves to others with no expectation of return for ourselves. It is truly a love that can only come from the one who has already given more than anyone else could ever give for his friends.
Prayer: Lord, all too often I use the word “love” loosely. In fact so much so that it has lost its meaning. Grant me the grace to truly love you and others with the kind of love that is empty of my own desires and ambitions and is focused upon others. In Jesus name, amen.
Message: Love that does not call us to invest ourselves in the lives of others is not love at all – it is just a self- gratifying emotion. God’s love, the Greek word is agape, is love that is not about self but it is about other. It is this love that calls us to invest ourselves in others as we sacrifice our own desires and ambitions.
Affirmation: Love for others goes beyond self-gratifying emotion. It is a strong desire to help others and to see them blessed.
Reflection: Can you think of some ways the word “love” is used loosely? Do you think the word looses its meaning when it is used that way?
This is just one devotion out the book of 31 devotions on Love, a Virtue of the Spirit. You can have the entire book absolutely free, it is our ministry gift to you. Just register below to get the book.