True leadership isn’t about being large and in charge. It’s about modeling character, pointing others to the ultimate destination, and being the first to sacrifice for the good of the whole.
Posts Tagged ‘sacrifice’
Thought for the Day – Large & In Charge
Posted in Thought for the Day / Quotes, tagged character, destination, in charge, leadership, sacrifice on December 13, 2023| 1 Comment »
Freedom and Sacrifice
Posted in Commentaries, Opinions, Social / Political, tagged autonomy, freedom, sacrifice on July 9, 2010| 1 Comment »
Last Sunday (i.e. July 4th), as I prayed for this country (i.e. the USA), I began to see the undeniable bond between freedom and sacrifice. I thought of our forefathers, most of whom sacrificed their fortunes, reputations and comfort to forge a new republic. I thought of those who sacrificed their lives in the revolutionary war, in the hope that their brethren could attain some new level of freedom. I thought of how democracy hinges on a people’s willingness to sacrifice a certain amount of their personal autonomy for the greater good of the group. And I thought of all those who’ve sacrificed their lives in order to preserve this wonderful freedom that we’ve inherited.
But as I pondered this connection between freedom and sacrifice, in light of where our society is today, I had to wonder what will be left of it for our children. We seem to live in a time when people are increasingly unwilling to sacrifice anything. The collective cultural psyche seems to be that we can somehow “have it all”, which is essentially the anti-thesis of sacrifice. When we reach the place that we are unwilling to yield our personal position for the greater good of the whole, we create a situation where it’s every man for himself and ultimately, survival of the fittest. One of the great dangers in becoming the most powerful nation in the world is that it can cause a people to believe that the days of sacrifice have ended; but without sacrifice, the freedom will not stand.
For those of us who count ourselves as Christians, this connection between freedom and sacrifice ought to be abundantly clear; as it was Jesus’ sacrifice that attained eternal freedom for us. But despite the perfection of His sacrifice, we too must be willing to partake of the crucifixion of our flesh in order to walk in the genuine freedom He attained for us. Unfortunately, just as in the culture, the American version of Christianity seems to be increasingly predicated on the idea that we can (and even should) “have it all”. But as the concept of sacrifice diminishes in our churches, it is hard to deny that it seems to be taking the freedom with it.
If Jesus (i.e. the Son of God, a man of perfect faith) learned obedience from the things He suffered, how can we expect any less?
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The Cost of Discipleship
Posted in Commentaries, tagged appetite, blank check, cost, death, diet or exercise, discipleship, endurance, eternal security, faith alone, master, obesity, resurrection, sacrifice, servant, suffering, weight loss on August 20, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Western culture’s infatuation with convenience has led to a steady progression of “advancements” meant to make life easier. But like any significant shift, there have been some unintended consequences. Though the practical demands of our day-to-day life have receded, so too has our capacity for delivering consistently high levels of energy for any given task. Within this new reality, there is no need to sweat anywhere other than the gym. Despite this erosion of endurance, our voracious appetites seem to have remained largely intact.
As a result, the struggle with obesity has become rampant throughout our society, which has triggered a corresponding obsession with weight loss. Things like gym memberships, progress picks and Ozempic shots have become prominent features of our cultural landscape. And one of the most popular components of this phenomenon is anything that promises that we can lose weight without changing our diet or exercise pattern.
Inherently, we recognize that if we hope to lose weight, we ought to be disciplined in what we take into our bodies, and/or in how we take care of ourselves. But the appeal of “weight loss without dieting or exercising” is that we can get the results we want, without having to sacrifice the things we crave, even when they are counterproductive to that goal (i.e., reap the benefits without paying the cost).
Unfortunately, this kind of thinking is like yeast that spreads through the whole loaf and works its way into our spiritual life as well. Western Christianity has largely grabbed a hold of the scriptures that celebrate the finished work of Christ, while ignoring those that speak of the cost of following Him. Popular doctrines create the illusion that Jesus’ love created the proverbial blank check (i.e. He died once for all, and we are justified by faith alone) which covers however we chose to live our lives today, while ensuring our place in the next life as well. Like a spiritual Ozempic shot, it promises eternal security, without sacrifice (i.e., dying to yourself) or suffering.
More often than not, faith is presented as both the vaccination and antidote to all suffering (e.g., if we just believe that God loves us and that He is all-powerful, we will somehow become immune to struggles of this life). Yet, Jesus (a man of perfect faith) learned obedience from the things He suffered (Heb.5:8), and He endured the cross, despising its shame (Heb.12:2). He warned His followers that no servant was greater than their master, and that they would be hated for His sake (John 15:18-21). Further, He let them know that to those who have been given much, much more will be required (Luke 12:48).
Throughout the scripture, we see the lives of devoted followers testify to the cost of discipleship. Paul declared that we ought to present our bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom.12:1), saying that in order to become an heir we must be willing to share in Christ’s sufferings (Rom.8:17). Peter agreed, asserting that to partake of this burden was cause for rejoicing (1Peter 4:12-13). David avowed that he would not offer to God that which cost him nothing (2 Sam.24:24), and James observed that the price of cultivating a friendship with the world (i.e., adopting its ways, and adhering to its value system) was to become an enemy of God (James 4:4).
Jesus spoke very plainly about all of this, teaching that whoever wants to be my disciple must be willing to deny themselves and take up their cross daily (Luke 9:23-25). He clarified that the key to experiencing the life He’s ordained for us is found in laying our lives down for Him and His purposes (Matt.16:25). This was the challenge He made to the “rich young ruler,” asking him to forfeit those things which might identify him as anything other than a child of the one true God (Luke 18:18-30).
He taught that unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it has no potential to produce fruit (John 12:24), and He left no room for interpretation when He said that those who are unwilling to take up a cross and follow Him are not worthy of Him (Matt.10:38). Jesus surrendered His will to accomplish the will of the Father (Luke 22:42), but if we refuse to participate in this of death of self-rule, how then can we lay claim to the resurrection that was gained by it? Can there be a resurrection if there hasn’t been a death?
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