Christian Writers Circle

God’s Grace to Live Sacrificially
by Brenda D. Flowers

God’s marvelous grace has manifested in person, bringing salvation for everyone (That is, grace has revealed a salvation available for everyone…) This same grace teaches us how to live each day as we turn our backs on ungodliness and indulgent lifestyles, and it equips us to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:11-12, TPT)

Jesus obediently came to earth as a human being not only to fulfill God’s will to save us from our sins and to restore our relationship with God as His children, but also to teach and show us how to live godly lives in this present age.

Jesus modeled how to live sacrificially, trusting God’s grace.

On the night of Jesus’s betrayal, when He knew His time to complete His mission had come, Jesus invested His time with His disciples, celebrating the Passover Feast with them. 

I am awed by what Jesus did to show His disciples how much He loved them:

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel which He was girded. (John 13:3-5, NKJV) 

 John wrote from a position of authority since He was one of the twelve original disciples and a recipient of Jesus’s love and cleansing touch. It is interesting to note that Jesus also washed Judas’s feet, the disciple who He knew would betray Him.

 John recorded that after Jesus washed their feet, Jesus spoke these important words:

 “ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13: 14-17, NKJV)

God promises a blessing when we love sacrificially as Jesus did.

I have found this to be true in my life. When I serve as the Lord leads me, God blesses me. 

But I must be honest, there have been times when I have struggled to be obedient to God’s call to service and sacrificial living.

Last year, I knew God wanted me to volunteer to teach preschool aged children so they and their mothers or caregivers could participate in Bible study and fellowship (Through the BSF Program). I struggled in my flesh because I knew it would involve sacrifice of my time. I gave my struggle to the Lord and He led me to commit this time to Him in service. 

What a blessing it has been to love these precious children with my time and attention!

Each week, I get to experience God’s marvelous grace at work in my life and the lives of the 1 year olds I teach. Recently, I was especially blessed when, during praise and worship time, one of the little girls, who happened to be one who used to cry a lot when her mommy left her, stood up and sang the words of the song, “Trust and Obey”. She knew all the words and her voice sang joyfully. 

Praise the Lord! 

Father, may we obediently follow Jesus’s example of humility and compassion, and may we trust and obey You as Your children. You are love and Your grace is truly marvelous, helping us to live sacrificially. Thank you for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who guides us each day. We are truly blessed! In Jesus’s victorious name, we pray. Amen