Love is a sacrificial concern for the welfare of others. It is a concern that is not self-righteous, but self-forgetful in its concern for the welfare of others. It is not masochistic, but is willing to make significant sacrifices, spontaneously, to ensure the welfare of others, which it seeks.

Love always works toward mutuality. Yet love requires sacrifice in order to create the possibility of reciprocity. Without sacrifice, there is no possibility of reciprocity at all.

Thus, though love always works toward mutuality, paradoxically its potential can only be realized in reciprocal relationships where concern for mutual advantage is not an issue that anyone would fight for, but one which everyone would equally joyfully sacrifice in the interest of the other.

And, the only way I know of, that any of us can do that, is by following the way that is best embodied in the way of Christ – ‘a love that lays down its life’.

 

The Way Of Christ

 

‘This is my body broken for you. This is my blood that I shed.

‘Do it to … the least of these … In memory of me’.

 

There’s no faith where there is no grace.

No grace where no sacrifice.

No way – but the way of Christ – a love that lays down its life.

 

No other way but redemption. No other way but prayer

No other way but compassion. No other way but care.

No other way but devotion. No other way but love.

No other way but dedication. No other way but the cross.

 

There’s no faith where there is no grace.

No grace where no sacrifice.

No way – but the way of Christ – a love that lays down its life.

 

The way of Christ (

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) (sheet music)

 

Dave Andrews