“…..Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” – Eph. 5:25
This is a simple phrase, but it is a glorious truth. And it appears even more glorious when you consider our imperfections. Saying it was or is imperfect is an understatement. Yet Christ loved and loves the church – spots and all. The proof of His love is His sacrifice – He “gave himself for it”. So there is no question about His love. The only question is “Do you love the church?”
Let’s be honest, sacrifice is something most of us don’t know much about – especially in America. To sacrifice is to offer, give, surrender something for the sake of something else. But it is more than giving. It is giving that results in depriving oneself. And that can relate to many different things. Can you honestly say that you deprive yourself so as to provide for the sake of the church? Some do. Others know they don’t. And some just think they do.
Now you might suppose that my next step is to ask you to step up and sacrifice for the sake of the church, but you are wrong. That’s getting the cart before the horse. Our greatest need is love, not sacrifice. Even if I could somehow get every member to start making sacrifices it would be meaningless and short lived. Worse than that, sacrifice without love, external service without love, is displeasing to the Lord. David said, “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”- Psa. 51:16-17. If the heart isn’t right, what we do is unacceptable. If what we do doesn’t spring from a heart of love it is rejected by God and worthless to us.
Is sacrifice not needed? Of course it is, but it must proceed from love. The problem is that we often mistake sacrifice for love. Sometimes people get stirred up emotionally to the point that they are willing to make sacrifices, and from all outward appearance it seems to be evidence of love – but that’s not necessarily the case. The problem is that, although all seems well, all isn’t well. When troubles arise the sacrifices stop. However, when the sacrifices are motivated by love they continue on even in times of great difficulty. Anyone can get all excited for a moment and made a sacrifice, but without love it won’t last. Some folks go through life making one resolution after another, but they all end in failure. It’s not until we deal with the actual problem that we correct the situation. Rather than depending on campaigns, revival meetings, programs, concerts, etc. we need to deal with the real issue which is a lack of love for Christ and His church. Love just naturally sacrifices, without prompting, because it delights in pleasing its object, and those who love the Lord love what He loves.. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
