From a social point of view, a covenant, marriage, a pact, and a partnership are all synonymous when it comes to the union of a couple. Love has been the bond of marriage, and love demands sacrifice from both sides. There is no manifestation of love without sacrifice. Without this element of sacrifice, there is no love. How can marriage survive without sacrifice? It can’t.

From a spiritual point of view, the only channel that connects us to God is faith. And as with love, sacrifice is the essential element for faith to become real. How can faith survive without sacrifice? It can’t.

If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (Luke 9:23)

Three kinds of daily sacrifices are very clear in this verse: deny oneself, take up the cross, and follow Jesus.

Esther and I will celebrate 39 years of marriage this year. We would never be enjoying this time together if we had decided not to sacrifice. In the beginning it was very difficult, but now, it’s a pleasure.

It’s no different in our relationship with the Spirit of God. It’s a sacrifice for Him to endure our faults and weaknesses. We sacrifice our flesh day by day, to keep our conscience and our faith pure.

Love manifests with sensitivity. Faith manifests through reason. There’s no other way to assess the extent of either, than by the sacrifices they demand.

What sacrifice would you not make for true love? What sacrifice would you not make for a supernatural faith in the Almighty? Both faith and love are kept alive by the continual sacrifices of those involved.