Dictionary of Bible Themes – 8481 self-sacrifice
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8481 self-sacrifice

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

2570Christ, suffering
8116discipleship, cost
8120following Christ
8342servanthood
8356unselfishness
8450martyrdom
8475self-denial