Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

I am about to participate in a Bible study this morning. It's a non-denominational study and the leader has suggested we discuss Lent. Not to seem disrespectful, I have to admit the subject stopped me in my tracks. I had to question something I'd not thought about for many years. At our church we do not observe Lent.

That got me to thinking, why is it we do not? Again, I've not questioned this at all for the past 13 years! It just never crossed my mind. Our church observed Lent when I was a child growing up, not that I did, not that I even understood what it was all about so it didn't seem an odd thing to me years later when I no longer attended church when people talked about it. But now, in my "new" church, we do not. I asked myself, perhaps God, again, why is that?

The answer came quietly but soon it began to get louder in my head. Lent is about giving something up. People would discuss at work what they were going to give up, if they were going to. Some would give up chocolate. Others would give up television. Others might give up beer! It was all about giving up something that they enjoyed. Some were serious, others not. In other words, sacrifice...something of value.

Well, the word sacrifice naturally reminded me of Jesus who sacrificed far more than beer, chocolate or television, or more likely today, Facebook or the computer. Jesus sacrificed His life for each one of us that we may have eternal life. 

The purpose of Lent, I had to look up, is a time of reflection, repentance, prayer and even fasting in preparation for Easter, giving up certain types of luxuries. It starts on Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday. And then I read somewhere that it is not instituted in Scripture so it is not a requirement! But it is about sacrifice.

If we have received Christ, we automatically share in His sufferings, as Romans 8:17 tells us: and if [we become His] children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Sharing in His sufferings sounds like a life-long sacrifice on our part. 

When we are in Christ we are new creations. The old man has gone and the new man has emerged. Sharing in His sufferings then comes with our territory. We are in Christ and that comes with a message: to go and make disciples. These words came fast and furious:

Come, follow Me. Give up your old life and now be about your Father's business, as I am. I have commanded you to carry your cross daily, to be a living sacrifice. It's not about you anymore; it's all about Me. Your job is to reach others like I did, for My sake, for My glory, for their eternal lives. The job will not always be an easy one. You will be rejected as I was and still am today. But you are not to quit. You are to stand fast in Me and give your lives for My Gospel, for the good news of who I am. You will have to count the cost, carry your cross daily, as I did. It's no longer all about you. To be about your Father's will, about My will, you must expect interruptions, observe the hurting, reach out to the lost. That is being My disciple. I laid down My life for you; therefore, you lay down your life for Me. It's the very end result in your life, if you continue to follow, that will be the ultimate reward.

You see, it should not only be a 40-day period of time, once a year, but an ongoing commitment. If we are in Christ, we are new people with a new life and new values, a new purpose. We are to be living sacrifices each day, being prepared each day to speak the word of truth about Jesus if the occasion presents itself, being the salt and the light in this world. To speak the loving words of Christ and also the harder words of judgment because He loved…and also judges.

As 1Corinthians 6:20 tells us, we were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. The price was Jesus' life. We are to honor Him with body, soul and spirit, with our words. That's sacrifice, as He was our sacrifice. Hebrews 13:15 suggests--no commands--that we are to continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of our lips that confess His name. That sounds to me like being His disciples, keeping the truth of God's word in the airwaves or cyberspace. We are to be about the Father's business, keeping His Word in the forefront of our minds and deep in our hearts and souls…then as followers, share it. Share the good news of Jesus Christ, as it was once, maybe more than once, shared with us. Pass it on. Jesus' death was the ultimate "paying it forward." It is extended to all.

Resurrection day, as our church calls Easter, is approaching. Just as Jesus died for us, He arose and He is alive today in Spirit and in Truth. Hallelujah! He is our soon coming King, the King of glory. Are we prepared for His coming? Are we being a living sacrifice? Not that we physically give our lives, although we might be called to do so. But...are we sharing the truth of Christ? 

1Thessalonians 2:8 - So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

Our Mount Moriah

Genesis 22:2 - Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

Mt. Moriah means chosen by Jehovah. It is where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac. It was where Solomon was to build the house of the LORD, God's temple. This is in the City of Jerusalem today. Oh, the details.

I have to admit I wrote this on Saturday, January 8. I was compelled or I might forget.

I read the account of Abraham being commanded by God to sacrifice his son, his only son. Here again we see, like Noah, another man's ability to trust God implicitly, without question. He just did as God said. He didn't understand but he knew God would provide.

As you listen to the account, think about what Jesus did on the day of His crucifixion...

Abraham was told to take Isaac to Mt. Moriah. They traveled three days to get there and at the base of the mountain left their servants. This account is very moving for me. I probably posted a similar one last year! As Abraham and Isaac were about to depart from their servants, Abraham told them to remain their until they returned. What faith.

Abraham gave Isaac the wood to carry on his back. As they headed up the mountain it dawned on Isaac there was no lamb for an offering. (He did not know what God had commanded his father.) Abraham simply told him the LORD would provide. Isaac said not a word. An altar for sacrifice was built, the wood placed on it and then Abraham tied Isaac up and placed him on the wood. I think by this time Isaac had a clue what was going on, if he didn't already suspect. He still said nothing.

As Abraham had his arm positioned to make the sacrifice the Angel of the LORD spoke to him and told him not to continue, "for now I know you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me" (Genesis 22:12). God swore to Abraham that He would bless and multiply his descendants because of this act of faith.

As I read this I was reminded that Jesus was very probably crucified on Mt. Moriah! More intricate detail from the Bible. No coincidences. 

Jesus was the only Son of God. He carried the cross upon His back as He went to His crucifixion. He was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He spoke not a word in defense of His innocence. He became our sacrifice. Did you know that when sheep are led to slaughter they are silent? Do you think anything in the Bible is coincidence? Doesn't it just speak of a grand Designer?

So what is our Mt. Moriah? It's our place of sacrifice. It is our faith that when God asks us to go to that place He has asked us to go, and we give our lives, He will bless us and multiply us, as He did with Abraham. Oh, blessings not necessarily of descendants.

When we allow Jesus into our lives, we are to come in faith, quietly allowing Him to do a work in us, sacrificing our lives for a life devoted to Him. As we allow Him into our lives we are blessed. When we let go (such a hard thing to do sometimes) of stuff, thoughts, attitudes, words, He will fill those voids with goodness. He never takes something away without giving something, usually more, in return. Not always physical things, not always what we would expect. It can be a transformation that is more rewarding. It's more like you realize one day what you held on to for so long you are now free of! You realize you were held captive to things you had no control over. But God...

I'm not saying I've let go of so many things. It just doesn't happen all at once. Little by little He removes those things and I'm inclined to believe only when you allow Him to. Until you allow yourself to let go, you are in captivity. If we would only trust like Abraham that He will provide... We let go, He fills us. It's that simple.

Our Mt. Moriah is that place of sacrifice...where we are chosen by Jehovah. It's a time in our lives when we realize we've been chosen, chosen to make a decision for Christ that will forever change our lives...and we receive when we sacrifice. Isaac went there. Jesus went there. Isaac was saved from death temporarily and no doubt is with the saints in heaven today; although Jesus was crucified, He rose again and is alive today. When we follow suit we have an eternal, spiritual life to look forward to. We have that heavenly home awaiting us. 

All He has done for us... All that He has provided...if we just give Him our own personal sacrifice...of us.

Bear with me for a moment as I consider how this could relate to us. Isaac wasn't Abraham's only son, not the firstborn, but the chosen one. Jesus was God's only Son, but He was not the only son of Joseph and Mary, but their chosen Son, chosen by God. They key is, God chooses us. He makes the initial contact. When we recognize this and give ourselves to the Lord it is an individual offering. It's between you or me and God. In a way we are "only sons" at that moment. Does that make sense? You have to make the decision to be of the same faith as Abraham. You have to give yourself to the Lord. Let Him provide for you in ways the world or family, friends or the Church cannot. Let Him in and be your All in all. There are hundreds of names for God. One, however, is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord Who provides.

Our Mt. Moriah is where we sacrifice to receive and what we receive is what we are to seek most...the things of God, the treasures of heaven. When we seek these all other blessings will come to us. But we need first to trust that as we sacrifice, God will provide. Sacrifice in the world has a negative connotation. But God's definition is captivating and heavenly!

We might very well be in for some trying times. It looks like God's plans are being shaped and molded. It would help us all to have the assurance that when all else fails us...government, people, the Church...we have One who will never fail us. One who will provide as we learn to trust in Him. Trust in our own personal sacrifice that He might give to us the wisdom, strength, provision in all circumstances of life...and even at the time of our earthly death. Are you ready to climb to your Mt. Moriah?
After writing all this I read Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest for January 8. Wanna hear what he had to say? My heart is pounding.   

"And Abraham built an altar . . and bound Isaac his son." Genesis 22:9 ... This incident is a picture of the blunder we make in thinking that the final thing God wants of us is the sacrifice of death. What God wants is sacrifice through death [the death of Jesus] which enables us to do what Jesus did, viz., sacrifice our lives... God nowhere tells us to give up things for the sake of giving them up. He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having - viz., life with Himself. It is a question of loosening the bands that hinder the life, and immediately those bands are loosened by identification with the death of Jesus, we enter into a relationship with God whereby we can sacrifice our lives to Him... He wants you to be a "living sacrifice," to let Him have all your powers that have been saved and sanctified through Jesus. This is the thing that is acceptable to God.

Matthew 6:32-33 - ...Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 

Obedience Greater Than Sacrifice?

1Samuel 15:22 - And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

I awoke at 1:49 this morning with this question on my mind. For some reason I needed to think on this...now. So at 1:52 I was up. Hmmm, I wondered, What is God asking in this scripture? Isn't obedience a form of sacrifice?

Saul was king over Israel. He was sent by God to destroy their enemy, the Amalekites. The LORD expressly told him through Samuel, the priest, to not spare anyone or anything, man, woman nor beast. Saul went out and attacked them but did not heed God's word. They spared the king and took the best of all their animals to use as a sacrifice to God. It says "they were unwilling to utterly destroy them" (vs 9). Saul disobeyed. 

Ouch.

This could be a very hard word for us too. Imagine the disappointment when we choose not to obey His Word. Let me see if I can wrap my head around this somehow. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. The Word is Jesus....and we are to come to Him, we are to listen to Him, we are to be obedient to the Word.

The priests and people made literal sacrifices to God. It was their way of being atoned for various sins. So here they thought they were doing a good thing by taking the best of the animals that they might sacrifice them...that weren't even theirs in the first place. True they captured them from their enemy but God didn't want them... He was more interested in obedience. In his own mind Saul thought he had done right. God was upset and called his act evil. 

I was talking with a woman the other night. I can't remember how we got to this subject but she said this: I think believing in God and being a good person is what it's (whatever it is) all about. I sensed a bit of unsurety in her as she said this, almost as if she wondered if that was true. It was too late to get into a deeper discussion and I said we should pick this up again when time permitted.

I'm reminded of the words that tell us that we cannot work to receive our salvation. It's so we cannot boast over an accomplishment (Ephesians 2:9). If the Word tells us that there is none righteous (Romans 3:10), I believe that's a good argument against this "good person" thing. We are only good through Jesus's work for us, His sacrifice, not ours, our obedience to receive His work.

Hosea 6:6 tells us: For I desire goodness and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. There you have it! The knowledge of Jesus is way more important. This is that personal relationship issue. We cannot work to receive it; we accept it as a free gift. It is an inward form of worship (from the heart) rather than the outward (from our works). Oh, we still do good deeds, but now they come from a heart that has first chosen to know Jesus, to be in relationship with Him. God doesn't want our works, He wants us. He wants our hearts. He needs nothing from us except that relationship.

We are all called to obey the voice of Jesus. He is the Shepherd who calls us into relationship with Him. ...the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (John 10:3). We hear the words and we obey. That's the most important thing. Jesus became the final sacrifice (Hebrews 7:27). And it's He that we are to know first and foremost. We show Him He is our heart's desire...and then the sacrifice comes in our devotion to Him. Psalm 40:6-8 tells us Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, "Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart."

Does this make sense? He wants our thankful praises for His work of salvation for us. We are to come with a broken spirit and a contrite heart. These God will not despise (Psalm 51:17). To come to Him with our works is boastful. To think He will recognize those good deeds before knowing Him personally will not work. 

This concluding scripture shows us that "by Him" the sacrifice was made. We no longer need to make a "works" sacrifice. He is our sacrifice. We receive Him, we give thanks for His sacrifice. That is obedience.

Hebrews 13:15 - Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

The Arrival

Colossians 1:27 - To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

How is it that some people let the seeds of understanding be eaten by birds, or let the soil go untreated so that the seeds cannot take root after God has arrived in their lives?

What does it truly take when God has reached out, placed His hand upon their life and sealed them for His works and plans...and willed the knowledge of who exactly Christ can be in our lives...but they still turn their back on the only Person worthy of their attention and love? What is it that grows so big and strong in their heart that they cannot give up the world much less themselves for the sake of One who gave His life for the world? Who could do that and why would they? I can't imagine the rejection Jesus must have felt then and still feels today.

I'm convinced its those who are so totally wrapped up in what they perceive to be "the life." It's all about what the world says we should do...as the Bible states. Timothy 3:2 is an example of this: People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy...

It's all about understanding the greatness of this mystery of salvation, about being able to fathom to what depths and heights Christ went to for mankind and to be able to picture Him bloodied and bruised all for the sake of each one of us. He'd have died just for you...He'd have died just for me. Who else can any of us claim would do that for us... in this world?

How can life in this world be more important than the love of Christ...especially when it can be in us just by asking? Oh, I know this is the way of the world and I realize there are some who will not bow their knee to any authority but their own. I'm sorry those people don't want to know the goodness of the other side of life...in Christ.

I've heard some say Christianity is a crutch. It's far from that. The Bible tells us that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who have been saved it is the power of God (1Corinthians 1:18). I would much rather know that I have God's power on my side, especially knowing how talented He is in His creation alone! He becomes the foundation of the most important life we have and that's eternal life. Who cares what the world thinks? Many in the world have not yet experienced God's saving grace. They may think they have it but if there is any animosity, any denial about what the Word of God states is truth, they aren't there yet. They haven't arrived. There's always hope, though. A sincere prayer to God to make Himself known is all it takes. He will heal that mind that denies the need for Christ in their lives, daily, in every aspect of their lives.

If we don't meditate on God on a daily basis, we've not arrived. If we aren't actively seeking Him, we're not there. We need to let Him speak to us. We need to let Him show us who He is. We need to ask Him with a hungry heart to reveal Himself. Nothing will never be the same after that. Being raised in the church doesn't count; going to church every week won't work either. It's wrapping our hearts around what Jesus has done and being ever so thankful for this that will. If we don't think about Him it can't happen. 

When we are able to sacrifice our own ideas, goals and time to be like Christ, we have achieved that one thing He desires the most. That's when we honor Him. That's when He looks at us with pleasure and says well done. That's when we are on the right road. Not when our work is more important, or our hobbies or leisure time, but when we are doing something we don't necessarily enjoy doing, taking some of our own precious time to do it and knowing someone else will be pleased.

Do we love ourselves more than we love others? How would Jesus have answered that about Himself? Did He love Himself more? Did He ever say He was too busy to speak to someone, to heal someone else, to be compassionate to yet another? Did He ever take a vacation? It was hard for Him to turn people away. Yes, He had to occasionally because, like all of us, He needed to rest. And when He rested it was to regroup with His Father. But His days were filled with people, teaching them, sacrificing His time for them, healing, prophesying. And the only thing that was ever about Him was how He could save others. He knew in time He would be sacrificing His life for everyone. Can you say you would sacrifice one afternoon of doing something you really, really want to do to be with or do something for someone else? I hope there's not a catch in your spirit....

When have we arrived? When we have gotten beyond ourselves and have allowed God to work through us, to sacrifice of ourselves. That's the arrival.

1John 2:16, For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Sacrifice--Some More

Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Our lives are to be a living sacrifice to God. I found this anonymous poem some time ago and saved it for future reference. I don't think I need to say much more than this. Do I sacrifice at all times? No. Does anyone? I don't know. We are not perfect. But these are almost as good as the Ten Commandments. This is how our hearts should be in all things. It is our "reasonable service." 

I remember one time asking God to interrupt my day. And interrupt He did! Unfortunately, when that interruption came via phone message while I was in the midst of running "important" errands, I'd forgotten what I'd asked God to do. I heard that still, small voice in my spirit saying, "I'm interrupting you!" "Oh, yes, Lord, you are aren't you? Okay then...." And I heeded the request from a friend. It was the most delightful time and the most freeing experience. That's what happens when we hear God's voice and obey. Nothing but blessings. 

More recently, like yesterday, I felt ignored by some friends...at church. I'm going to think it was unintentional but it bothered me, even each time I awoke in the night...the feeling of heaviness was there. And what did I keep hearing again in my spirit: "It doesn't matter...I (Jesus) am all you need." When I reread this poem, I had confirmation and felt awful for how I had felt. But then again, aren't we human? And doesn't God know?

Imagine if we could feel like every day is a sacrifice and would allow the words of this poem be part of our accepted principles for daily life. 

Anonymous Sacrifice Poem

When you are forgotten, neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting or hurt with the oversight, but your heart is happy being counted worthy to suffer for Christ; 

That is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinion ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence;
That is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any annoyance; when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus did;
That is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, and offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God;
That is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or record your own good works or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown;
That is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and you are in desperate circumstances;
That is dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit, inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart;
That is dying to self.

Jesus knew all about sacrifice. After all, He sacrificed His life for us. His life was spent being rejected and criticized. But He didn't quit. He didn't say, "Father, I've had enough of this stuff. I'm just plain tired of it. I'm quitting."

As followers of Christ we should have the same thoughts. It's not about us, it's about God working through us to teach others about Jesus, to bring others into relationship with Him, to show them the Way to eternal life. He lost His life and we are to do the same; live for others, not for ourselves. God will bring the reward when we do this...do not fear! If we quit just because others are rejecting what we say, we are rejecting Jesus ourselves. We are to do the will of our Father...that's the obedience part. We are to not let what others think or say cause us to stop...that's the sacrifice part. God will deal with the hearts of those who reject or mock. It is He who does the ultimate heart-shaping work. Mmmmmm, that's comforting.

Matthew 16:24-26 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"