1311. The Believer's Sacrifice of Life

The Believer's Sacrifice of Life

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus" (Act_20:24).

While the true believer knows that the life is greater in value than the whole world, yet, he is willing to give that life in sacrificial service in behalf of others, and of Christ. He counts not his life as dear to himself.

The true believer is ambitious to love the Lord his God with all his heart and with all his soul (life), with all his strength, with all his mind (see Luk_10:27).

Let us observe three examples of real life sacrifice.

1. The Apostle Paul. "So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the Gospel of God only, but also our own souls (lives), because ye were dear unto us" (1Th_2:8).

There were few men who ever labored and traveled, night and day, in behalf of others, as did Paul. He counted no task too great, no suffering too severe, that he might minister unto the saints. His life was daily poured out as a drink-offering unto God in behalf of his brethren.

He went so far that in behalf of the kinsmen in his flesh, he was willing to be accursed from Christ, that they might be saved.

Let this spirit of sacrifice and of service, of life giving, be prominent with everyone of us.

2. Epaphroditus. "Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me" (Php_2:30).

There are few men in the Word of God who ministered as Epaphroditus ministered. He was not a man held in large reputation by the world; but he was of great reputation with God and with the saints. He was a real companion in labor, a fellow-soldier, and a public minister to the Apostle Paul. He was a man full of longings and of yearnings toward the saints.

While everyone seemed to be looking upon their own things he was looking upon the things of others.

3. A multitude of saints. "And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Rev_12:11).

What a blessed record is this! A group of martyrs, willing to lay down their worldly prospects, their family ties, their all. A group of martyrs who lost their lives and all that their lives meant to them, so far as the world was concerned, that they might find their lives in Him. The vision is set for the day of Tribulation.

They will not love their lives when they first are saved, for they will refuse to receive the mark of the beast. They will gladly suffer persecution for His name.

They will not love their lives as the darkness deepens and the threatenings of the antichrist increase. Although no man can, in those days, buy or sell who has refused the mark of the beast, and the number of his name, yet these will love not their lives unto the death.

They love not their lives as the executor stands before them; they will gladly die; and die with words of praise and of glory upon their tongues.

Such will be the story of many who are yet to give their lives in behalf of Christ.

In all of this, let us remember that Jesus Christ is our chief exemplar. "He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1Jn_3:16).

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR