Love that costs something is the true mark of a genuine follower of Christ. In a world where people often love only when it is convenient, God calls believers to a higher standard.

Real love requires sacrifice.

Today, we discover that authentic love follows the pattern Jesus set—a love so deep that it willingly gives everything for the sake of others.

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Love That Costs: Key Takeaway

  • True Christian love demands sacrifice. Just as Christ laid down His life, we must love others sacrificially.

Anchor Bible Verse of the Day

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

— 1 John 3:16 (NKJV)

The apostle John wrote this letter to help believers understand what genuine love looks like. He pointed to Christ’s death on the cross as the perfect definition of love.

John wanted Christians to move beyond empty words and into sacrificial action.

This verse challenges every believer to examine their love for others. True love is measured by what we willingly give up, not by what we receive.

Key Explanations

  • By this we know love: The cross of Christ defines love for all believers. We learn what love truly means by looking at Jesus’ sacrifice, not by the world’s shallow examples.
  • He laid down His life for us: Jesus voluntarily gave up His life on the cross. No one took it from Him. He chose to die so that we could live eternally.
  • We also ought to lay down our lives: Believers are called to follow Christ’s example by sacrificing for others. This may not always mean physical death, but daily dying to self for others’ benefit.
  • For the brethren: Our sacrificial love should especially be demonstrated toward fellow believers in the body of Christ.

Love That Costs: A Reflection

As a believer, you are called to demonstrate love that costs something every single day. John 15:13 confirms this truth:

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Jesus spoke these words before going to the cross, knowing exactly what this kind of love would cost Him. When you practice sacrificial love, you follow in the footsteps of your Savior and reflect His character to the world around you.

Many people claim to love others but refuse to make any sacrifice. They love with words, but not with actions. They care when it is easy, but disappear when things get difficult.

But love that costs requires giving up your time, your comfort, your resources, and sometimes even your own desires for the good of others.

This kind of love transforms relationships and communities in powerful ways that words alone never could.

Consider Ruth in the Old Testament. When Naomi urged her to return to her homeland, Ruth refused. She chose to stay with her mother-in-law, saying, “Where you go, I will go” (Ruth 1:16).

Ruth’s sacrificial choice cost her everything: her family, her country, her comfort, and her future security. Yet, God honored her willingness to give up so much and placed her in the lineage of Jesus Christ.

Her beautiful story shows that love that costs always brings eternal rewards from a faithful God.

How should you live today?

  • Look for opportunities to serve others without expecting anything in return.
  • Give generously to those in need around you.
  • Spend time with people who may be lonely or hurting.
  • Put aside your preferences for the benefit of others consistently.

Love that costs will stretch you beyond your comfort zone, but it will also make you more like Christ.

Let His sacrificial love flow through you today.

Blessings…!

Call to Action

  • Today, find one practical way to sacrifice for someone else. Give your time, resources, or attention without expecting repayment.

Make This Affirmation

  • I will love others sacrificially today. Like Christ laid down His life for me, I will give myself for others.

Prayer Point for Today

  • Sacrificial Heart: Ask God to give you a heart willing to sacrifice for others and to show you specific ways to demonstrate love that costs today.

Let’s Pray

Our Father, thank You for the sacrificial love of Jesus. Teach us to love others the way You love us—with a love that gives freely and costs us something.

In the precious and mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

My prayer for you today: I pray that you experience and demonstrate love that costs and reflects Christ’s sacrifice daily.

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