The Cost of Loving Like Christ

Jan 27, 2025

Hey, y’all!

Loving like Christ isn’t easy—it requires sacrifice, selflessness, and a willingness to put others before ourselves. Jesus never sugarcoated the cost of following Him, and in Luke 9:23, He makes it clear:

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”

Loving like Christ comes with challenges, but it also brings incredible blessings. Let’s explore both the cost and the joy of living out sacrificial love in our daily lives.

1. The Challenge of Self-Denial

Loving like Christ means setting aside our own desires, comfort, and convenience to serve others. This kind of love often asks us to give when we feel we have nothing left or to forgive when it’s the last thing we want to do.

Philippians 2:5-7 encourages us to adopt Christ’s mindset:

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant.”

Self-denial is hard, but it’s a crucial part of sacrificial love.

2. The Weight of the Cross

Taking up our cross daily means being willing to endure hardship, rejection, or discomfort for the sake of loving others as Christ did. Whether it’s standing up for what’s right, being patient with a difficult person, or persevering in a tough relationship, sacrificial love often comes with a cost.

3. The Blessing of Transformation

While sacrificial love is challenging, it also transforms us. Loving like Christ deepens our faith, builds character, and aligns our hearts with His. As we give of ourselves, we experience the joy of seeing God work through us to bless others and glorify His name.

4. The Joy of Eternal Impact

Every act of sacrificial love has eternal significance. Whether it’s sharing the Gospel, mentoring a younger believer

, or simply showing kindness to someone in need, loving like Christ creates ripples that extend far beyond what we can see. Galatians 6:9 reminds us:

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

When we love like Christ, we participate in His mission and leave a legacy that points others to Him.

Practical Ways to Embrace the Cost of Christlike Love

Pray for Strength: Ask God to help you embrace the sacrifices that come with loving others as Christ does.
Take Small Steps: Look for daily opportunities to deny yourself and put others first, whether it’s through serving, forgiving, or listening.
Stay Connected to Christ: Spend time in Scripture and prayer to renew your strength and keep your focus on Him.
Seek Support: Surround yourself with a Christian community or work with a Christian life coach to stay encouraged and accountable as you walk this path of sacrificial love.
Celebrate the Blessings: Reflect on the ways God has used your acts of love to bless others and grow your own faith.

Challenge for Today: Identify one area of your life where loving like Christ feels especially challenging. Take a step of faith today to embrace that challenge, trusting that God will provide the strength and grace you need.

Sacrificial love isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most powerful ways we reflect Jesus to the world. When we embrace the cost of loving like Christ, we experience the deep joy and eternal blessings that come with following Him.

Blessings to you all! See you tomorrow!

PLUS: Whenever you're ready, here are four ways I can help you on your journey to peace, confidence, and wholeness: