What Is a Godly Man?ਨਮੂਨਾ

Love Sacrificially

The first mark of a godly man is that he loves sacrificially. In 1 Corinthians 16:14, Paul says, "Let everything you do be done in love." This isn't a sentimental, feel-good kind of love—it's the kind of love that costs you something. Ephesians 5:25 sets the standard: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for her." Christ's love for the church wasn't passive, it was active, selfless, and sacrificial. He laid down His life for us, and as men, we're called to love others in the same way.

In fact, in the context of Ephesians 5, you could define the kind of leadership Paul calls husbands to as love and sacrifice. This is what Jesus did for us and how he leads us.

John 15:13 puts it even more starkly: "No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends". And 1 John 3:16-18 expands on this: "This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has this world's goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God's love reside in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth." Sacrificial love isn't just about dying for someone—it's about living for them, putting their needs above your own, even when it's inconvenient or hard.

In the pagan culture of Corinth, men could get away with a lot. They could sleep around, treat women and children as beneath them, and live for their own pleasure. It was the cultural expectation really. Our culture often excuses selfishness too, telling men it's okay to prioritize their own desires over their responsibilities. But a godly man stands out by loving sacrificially.

If you're married, this means loving your wife with the same selfless devotion that Christ shows the church. That might mean giving up your time to listen to her, serving her in practical ways, or forgiving her when it's hard. It means putting her spiritual growth and well-being above your own comfort.

If you're a father, sacrificial love looks like investing in your kids, even when you're tired. Ephesians 6:4 says, "Fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord". Are you showing your kids what it means to love like Jesus? Are you present, engaged, and intentional, or are you checking out when things get tough?

Beyond your family, sacrificial love extends to your church and community. Are you committed to your church family, or do you treat it like an optional social club? Statistics show that kids often leave the church when their parents don't actively prioritize it. Your love for the church—or lack of it—sets an example for your kids.

Sacrificial love might also look like giving financially to someone in need, fostering a child, or forgiving someone who has wronged you. It's not just about grand gestures; it's about the daily choice to put others first. In a world that celebrates self-interest above all else, this kind of love is radical. It points people to Christ.

Think about the areas of your life where God is calling you to sacrifice. Maybe it's being more intentional about spending time with your family, or stepping out of your comfort zone to serve at church. Maybe it's letting go of a grudge that's been weighing you down. Whatever it is, know that you're not alone—Christ, who gave everything for you, empowers you to love as He does.

As you reflect today, ask yourself: What sacrifice am I making out of love? If you're married, how can you love your wife more like Christ? If you're a dad, how can you show your kids what sacrificial love looks like? In your church, are you truly in the game, committed to your brothers and sisters? Let's aim for the target of sacrificial love, knowing that it reflects the heart of our Savior.

Reflection Question: What's one specific way you can show sacrificial love this week—to your spouse, kids, coworker or friend, or church family?

Remember: A man of God loves sacrificially, leads courageously, lives with integrity, and follows Jesus humbly.

Prayer Prompt: Father, teach me to love like Jesus, even when it's hard. Show me where I can sacrifice for others, and give me the courage to do it. Amen.