The Sacrificial Love of a Friend

True friendship requires putting others’ needs before your own, even when it’s difficult or inconvenient.

True friends bear one another’s burdens.

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.Galatians 6:2

True friends prefer others above themselves.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.Philippians 2:3

Sacrificial love in friendship means being willing to give your time, resources, and support without expecting anything in return.

We should give freely, as we have received freely.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.James 1:17

All we have been given comes from our Father.

For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?1 Corinthians 4:7

We should do good to all, especially fellow believers.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.Galatians 6:10

Jesus exemplified the ultimate sacrificial love, and we are called to love our friends with that same selfless devotion.

Jesus loved us while we were still sinners.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.Romans 5:8

Jesus demonstrated the greatest love through His sacrifice.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.John 15:13

We should be willing to lay down our lives for others.

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.1 John 3:16

Jesus calls us His friend.

*We are friends of Jesus if we obey His commands.

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.John 15:14

True love begs to be expressed.

True love for others requires humility.

True love requires the desire for God’s glory and the good of our fellow man.