Is Love possible without any kind of sacrifice? I don't think so.
I don't think Godcould show his love for us without Jesus because nothing else is or was a "sacrifice" for God.
Sacrifice consists of giving up something whether it be time, money, animals, (which was money and still is in many parts of the world).
It's why God asked for the best of the flock, not the worst or something you didn't really want.
I also believe that love consists of service. Since service takes our time and sometimes our money. It is also a sacrifice.
I therefore believe that:
Love = sacrifice (in whatever form)
Are there any other "Gods" worshipped that have actually sacrificed for any.
How do the followerd of those 'Gods" know or believe that that God loves them?
Puts a whole new meaning on "I love you".
People say it all the time. I love you means that I will sacrifice for you in particular. Love is a gift, given to us, to make life worth the living.
Seems we are free to decide what we will sacrifice. Time, money, stuff. Is the holding back of sacrifice ever what is needed?
SACRIFICE: H2077 From H2076; properly a slaughter, that is, the flesh of an animal; by implication a sacrifice (the victim or the act): - offer (-ing), sacrifice.
H2076 A primitive root; to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice): - kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay.
G2378 From G2380; sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively): - sacrifice. G2380 A primary verb; properly to rush (breathe hard, blow, smoke), that is, (by implication) to sacrifice (properly by fire, but generally); by extension to immolate (slaughter for any purpose): - kill, (do) sacrifice, slay.
I believe their are some who have sacrificed, but the many have just given. I can love but it is not a sacrifice. I have come to understand that man has honed and smoothed what is to be understood in the Word, as a sacrifice today, that there truly have been no real sacrifices, save but a small few. I believe there is a great gulf between sacrifice and giving. :2c:
I think Jesus summed it up when the wealthy gave "a little off the top" which was giving,
and the widow that put both coins - all the money she had- in the collection box -which was sacrifice.
Anything that creates a hardship in your life in service to God or others may be deemed a sacrifice.
A sacrifice by modern definitions since we don't offer animal sacrifices anymore. Jesus being our sacrifice, Jesus being God's sacrifice - giving up his only begotten son to show his love for all of us.
Jesus' sacrifice was such because He loved and enjoyed His life in the here-and-now. To give it up for His friends (us!) was a sacrifice, and for Him, well worth it. :dsunny: