1 Cor. 13. I have read it in more weddings than I can count. And I try to listen every time and understand why the biggest sacrifices a human can make are in vain if we don't have love.
Oh, I understand that we need love, and that the motive for our actions must come from a higher place. But, seriously, if I give my body to be burned or sacrifice myself for someone else, don't I have the proper motive?
Short answer ...no. There must be an intentionality with the sacrifice beyond the motives we can see that actually accomplishes what we have set out to do. If we save a person's life but have not shared why we are doing this, then they get their life extended here on earth, but not for eternity. Love may propel us to give our life (greater love is not known than a man lay down his life for his friends) but, true love will have expressed the love we have received from Christ prior to every sacrifice.
Otherwise it is simply a note, played on a cymbal, that will fade with the passing of the breeze. But love, for the cause of Christ, will be sung throughout the ages, throughout the heavens, because of its pure motivation.
Pastor Brent