Self-sacrifice

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The willingness to leave one’s possessions or to give them to others; to deny oneself to the point of death or to give oneself in the service of God or other people.

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Transcript

Self-sacrifice as forfeiting one’s present comfort for the sake of others

Ruth 2:11 ESV

But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.

See also Ge 44:33–34; Heb 10:34; Heb 11:24–27

Self-sacrifice as giving one’s possessions to others

Jesus Christ commends the willingness to give away one’s possessions

Matthew 19:21 ESV

Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

God rewards those who give their possessions away

Luke 18:28–30 ESV

And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Sacrificing one’s possessions as demonstrated in the life of the church

See also Ac 2:44–45; Ac 4:32–37; 2 Co 8:1–5

Self-sacrifice as leaving all and following Jesus Christ

Such sacrifice is a condition of discipleship

Luke 14:33 ESV

So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

See also Mt 10:37 This means loving Jesus Christ over and above one’s immediate family.

Those willing to leave everything to follow Jesus Christ

Lk 5:27–28; Php 3:8

Self-sacrifice as the metaphorical laying down of one’s life for others

Followers of Jesus Christ are required to give themselves in the service of others

John 12:24–25 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

See also Mt 10:38; Mt 16:24–25; Lk 17:33; 1 Jn 3:16–18

Examples of those who demonstrated such self-sacrifice

2 Corinthians 4:10–11 ESV

always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

See also 1 Co 9:19–23; 1 Co 15:30–31; 2 Co 11:23–29; 2 Co 12:15

Self-sacrifice as the literal laying down of one’s life

Jesus Christ warns his disciples to be prepared to give their lives

Matthew 10:21–22 ESV

Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Sacrificing one’s life is of no value without love

Examples of those willing to give their lives for the sake of God and others

Acts 20:23–24 ESV

except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

See also Ex 32:32; 1 Ch 11:15–19; Es 4:14–16; Mt 26:39; Php 2:17

Examples of those who gave their lives in God’s service

Acts 7:59–60 ESV

And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.