8481 self-sacrifice
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.
Self-sacrifice as forfeiting one’s present comfort for the sake of others
Ru 2:11 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 Mt 19:21 pp Mk 10:21 pp Lk 18:22 See also Lk 12:33
God rewards those who give their possessions away Lk 18:28-30 pp Mt 19:27-29 pp Mk 10:28-30
Sacrificing one’s possessions as demonstrated in the life of the church See also Ac 2:44-45; Ac 4:32-37; 2Co 8:1-5
Self-sacrifice as leaving all and following Jesus Christ
Such sacrifice is a condition of discipleship Lk 14:33 See also Mt 10:37 pp Lk 14:26 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 Jn 12:24-25 See also Mt 10:38 pp Lk 14:27; Mt 16:24-25 pp Mk 8:34-35 pp Lk 9:23-24; Lk 17:33; 1Jn 3:16-18
Examples of those who demonstrated such self-sacrifice 2Co 4:10-11 See also 1Co 9:19-23; 1Co 15:30-31; 2Co 11:23-29; 2Co 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 Mt 10:21-22 pp Mk 13:12-13 pp Lk 21:16-17
Sacrificing one’s life is of no value without love See also 1Co 13:3
Examples of those willing to give their lives for the sake of God and others Ac 20:23-24 See also Ex 32:32; 1Ch 11:15-19; Est 4:14-16; Mt 26:39 pp Mk 14:35-36 pp Lk 22:42; Php 2:17
Examples of those who gave their lives in God’s service Ac 7:59-60 See also Jdg 11:36-38; Php 2:5-8; Heb 11:36-38; Rev 20:4
See also
2570 | Christ, suffering |
8116 | discipleship, cost |
8120 | following Christ |
8342 | servanthood |
8356 | unselfishness |
8450 | martyrdom |
8475 | self-denial |