John Burroughs, an American naturalist and essayist once remarked: “For anything worth having one must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice – no paper currency, no promises to pay, but the gold of real service.” Romans 12:1-2 confirms: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Self-Sacrifice is defined as the relinquishment of one’s own interests or wishes in order to help others or advance a cause. It can include self-denial, selflessness, altruism and abstinence to name but a few. For many, the most renowned name, usually instantly called to mind as a prominent example, will be our Lord, Jesus Christ. He sacrificed His life for the redemption of sins in a way that few would wish to repeat or experience.
Abnegation could be considered as the renunciation or rejection of evil, in a world that would otherwise have no effective barriers against sin. Without a purpose-built crash barrier that divides the two opposing carriageways of good and evil, failure to protect the mainstream of life and the probable gullibility or even innocence of mankind could occur. There would be little shielding or protection to stop one crossing the central reservation on the motorway of life, straight into the path of oncoming traffic, facing certain, and inevitable disaster. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Acts 4 gives an account of the after-events from the healing of a well-known beggar by Simon Peter and uses the deed as an opportunity to spread the word about the power of Christ, despite the possible dangers incurred. Verses 1-12 remind us: “And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?”
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead - by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Verses 32-37 continue: “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.”
The genuine and worthy achievements in life that succeed in a worthwhile life given to others come with some form of cost. Either a valuable and significant input of personal time is essential, or perseverance and determination are needed to satisfy any requirements of the proposed achievement.
Reward and satisfaction is gleaned from seeing the opportunity of others to receive benefits not normally available within their normal resources and the gratitude that is generated. Albert Schweitzer, an Alsatian polymath, organist, philosopher and physician once remarked: “At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” James 2:14-17 confirms: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
Self-sacrifice is an important and necessary option in Christianity that resonates throughout history. It allows one to forego selfish pleasures to provide nourishment to the needy in several ways. It includes obedience to God, despite the constant temptation of sin that prevails in the world and an appreciation of the sufferings of Christ for the good of humanity. Psalm 2:1-12 reminds us: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”
Amen.
