A Sacrificial Love

I was 20 years old during my first year in Haiti. On Saturdays, I would go off exploring by myself.

While walking the beach through Ti-Riviere heading toward Léogâne, I came across an old fisherman in a boat. He gave me a beautiful, small Triton conch shell. I still have this seashell today. I felt terrible because I had no money to give to him. I might have given him my water bottle because I had nothing else to give. This exchange taught me a lesson early in life. The Haitian people have no way of repaying us for the gifts and service we give to them. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord...” Colossians 3:23

In 1992, my wife, son and I were in a rollover car accident in the state of New York and my son was injured. In the emergency room of Albany Medical Center, a woman who also had a child there said to me, “Wouldn’t we exchange places with our children’s lives?” I did not reply; I was still in shock from the accident. I could not look upon my son who was in pain crying under an oxygen tent. Yes, of course I would exchange my life for my child’s life. 

God gave His son to save the world. We have no way of saving ourselves. This is an unfair exchange. We have nothing to offer for this gift. The story of our salvation is a love story. Jesus gives us more than His love. He gives us peace in our lives. This Christmas season, look to Jesus to be your peace. We can have peace while being in the midst of conflict. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Jesus does require something from us. Jesus requires our love and obedience. We are to die daily to ourselves. We are to be a living sacrifice. “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26) Living a life of obedience to God is a lifelong pursuit. 

Some people don’t have any faith in God and therefore they don’t make the first step toward a relationship with Him. I have a very close friend who has no faith in God. These people do not know where they have come from or where they are going. They do not have any true purpose in life and do not know how to live their lives. God is in the business of saving sinners. We can come to God dirty and sinful; just as we are.

It can be Christmas any day of the year with Jesus. He is willing to give you the best gift ever: the gift of eternal life. Many people struggle with receiving something for free. People want to work for something and earn something. But the life of the son of God is far too precious and cannot be bought. It is priceless! “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16  ~Charlie DeTellis