The Ultimate Sacrifice

Nº 187 weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - March 1, 2022

As we embark upon discipleship we surrender ourselves to Christ in union with his death—we give over our lives to death. Thus it begins; the cross is not the terrible end to an otherwise god-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This week in 1836, 180 devoted fighters died in the Alamo. They sacrificed their lives for what they believed to be a worthy cause. More than 180 years later, numerous stories are emerging of gallant loyalty and courageous sacrifice in Ukraine. Many Ukrainians are willing to fight and die for a cause they believe in.

We admire the courage and sacrifice of the martyrs at the Alamo, and we marvel at the commitment and devotion of the valiant fighters in Ukraine. The call to sacrifice our lives for a noble cause resonates with us. We hope that we, too, would have the courage to lay down our lives for a desired outcome that is worthy of our allegiance.

In some ways, dying for a cause is easier than living for one. A one-time ultimate act seals our decision forever. Living for a cause demands that we recommit ourselves every day. Paul reminds the Christians in Rome – and us 2,000 years later – to “...present your bodies as a living sacrifice.”(Romans 12:1b)

A living sacrifice must remain committed. Every day temptations and fears call us to capitulate and run away. Loyalty requires a courageous allegiance to God every day of our lives.

Dan Bolin President Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc