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Who would you lay down your life for?

Gordon

Gordon

Member
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

I think a lot of people have someone they would lay down their life for literally. What makes me think is what about a stranger or how good of a friend? Jesus told us through his story that our neighbor is the good samaratin and the man he didn't know. I have had someone lay down their life for me in the sense they always put my needs first. I also know if it would have been literal they would have done this too. There is no greater love.
 
You are blessed to have somebody in your life that seeks your well being. This scripture talks about self-sacrifice and selflessness. I know that I would give my life for my daughter's in a second. My youngest daughter is going through a really tough time right now and I have put my life on hold to be with her and to get her through her struggles. I am fortunate that my employer has given me this time to be with her or else I would have left my job.

Great post, Gordon!
 
BornAgain said:
You are blessed to have somebody in your life that seeks your well being. This scripture talks about self-sacrifice and selflessness. I know that I would give my life for my daughter's in a second. My youngest daughter is going through a really tough time right now and I have put my life on hold to be with her and to get her through her struggles. I am fortunate that my employer has given me this time to be with her or else I would have left my job.

Great post, Gordon!
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The person I speak of has passed but she still serves as an example to me. I think the message you are sending by putting your life on hold and putting her first is more powerful than anything you will tell her. You are a great parent.:clap
 
I think if I saw something fall from a building and a child was underneath I would likely push them out of the way and let it hit me. If that same child I didn't know needed a kidney transplant I probably wouldn't be willing.:confused: Or if it was another man my age I don't think I would. Police and soldiers and organ donors are very inspiring to me as examples of love. The soldier who dies because he won't fire back into civilians shows great love.

In the same way I think the spouse who takes care of their partner who becomes a quadriplegic for 50 years is maybe even more of an example of Christs love.

The disciples telling Jesus they would die with him and then scattering shows how difficult such a great act of love this is. Jesus must have been hurt knowing Peter would deny him. Perhaps if Peter had spent that time praying he wouldn't have failed when his spirit was willing.

What do you think is the greater act of love giving up your life literally or putting someone else first everyday?
 
Gordon said:
What do you think is the greater act of love giving up your life literally or putting someone else first everyday?
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I don't think you can really say which is greater. Both entail a huge sacrifice. You are in effect sacrificing your life in both situations.
 
AlexBC said:
I don't think you can really say which is greater. Both entail a huge sacrifice. You are in effect sacrificing your life in both situations.
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But would you say one is easier? Is it easier to be Mother Teresa and live your life serving the afflicted in horrible conditions, or to be a soldier who jumps on a grenade? I agree they are both huge sacrifices but they are different. I personally think I'd be more likely to jump on the grenade. Do you think they are the same to God?
 
Gordon said:
But would you say one is easier? Is it easier to be Mother Teresa and live your life serving the afflicted in horrible conditions, or to be a soldier who jumps on a grenade? I agree they are both huge sacrifices but they are different. I personally think I'd be more likely to jump on the grenade. Do you think they are the same to God?
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Hmm. It's a really difficult question to answer. Whether or not one is easier than the other depends on circumsatnces, the indivudual.

I was here during the Fukushima incident and seeing men walk into those reactor buildings really feels like a little bit of both those forms of sacrifice. For some it may have been instant death or years of pain. Amazing individuals. It's a pity there was not more of a celebration for those men.
 
AlexBC said:
Hmm. It's a really difficult question to answer. Whether or not one is easier than the other depends on circumsatnces, the indivudual.

I was here during the Fukushima incident and seeing men walk into those reactor buildings really feels like a little bit of both those forms of sacrifice. For some it may have been instant death or years of pain. Amazing individuals. It's a pity there was not more of a celebration for those men.
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Thats a great example. I have not traveled overseas but it seems like some cultures in asia self sacrifice is common. I have heard for example they are more likely to take in an elderly relative where the US is more likely to have them in a nursing home.
 
Gordon said:
Thats a great example. I have not traveled overseas but it seems like some cultures in asia self sacrifice is common. I have heard for example they are more likely to take in an elderly relative where the US is more likely to have them in a nursing home.
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Family is really important here. When people have vacation time the first stop is the hometown to meet the folks. Sometimes hundreds of miles away.

In fact, some of the self sacrifice ive seen here is inspiring. Of course, that is tempered by a high suicide rate and a tendency to sacrifice in the face of failure resulting in the revolving door politics that has given the country half a dozen PMs in as many years.
 
I'd definitely lay down my life for my wife and children--no problem. As far as others go, I might take great risk (such as saving the child from a burning building) in an emergency situation. Other than that, I don't know :)
 
Speculative said:
I'd definitely lay down my life for my wife and children--no problem. As far as others go, I might take great risk (such as saving the child from a burning building) in an emergency situation. Other than that, I don't know :)
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Thanks for answering. I think it must be hard to know until the situation presents itself. Also if you have a wife and kids you'd obviously have them to think about as well. I also don't know how accurate people are in predicting their behavior. I think alot would me more or less self-sacrificing then they'd think in the moment.
 
Gordon said:
Thanks for answering. I think it must be hard to know until the situation presents itself. Also if you have a wife and kids you'd obviously have them to think about as well. I also don't know how accurate people are in predicting their behavior. I think alot would me more or less self-sacrificing then they'd think in the moment.
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There have been some pretty horrible experiments testing the idea of self-sacrifice and self-preservation in monkeys.

In one experiment, two monkeys were placed in two seperate cages visible to one another. Each monkey would be able to individually receive food by pulling a chord in their own cage. This however would shock the other animal with an electric current passing through the floor. In many cases the monkeys would go days without food just to save their neighbor the pain inflicted if they themselves ate.

Fantastic to think this kind of self-sacrifice is not just a Human attribute.
 
I would lay my life down for anyone in hopes that such an act of love for another would somehow lead them to Christ as I would want to be a sacrifice as Christ was my sacrifice that I have life eternal with Him.
 
for_his_glory said:
I would lay my life down for anyone in hopes that such an act of love for another would somehow lead them to Christ as I would want to be a sacrifice as Christ was my sacrifice that I have life eternal with Him.
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I hope I get to that point in my walk.
 
Gordon said:
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

I think a lot of people have someone they would lay down their life for literally. What makes me think is what about a stranger or how good of a friend? Jesus told us through his story that our neighbor is the good samaratin and the man he didn't know. I have had someone lay down their life for me in the sense they always put my needs first. I also know if it would have been literal they would have done this too. There is no greater love.
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My children and my grands without a doubt. I guess we cannot choose whom we will do it for...but I guess the first thing that comes to mind is those closest to us. I believe that as the end grows near we will have to decide if we will give our lives for our brethren. This is what Christ expects of us.
 
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