Living sacrifices

August 16, 2007

By Gary Rogers

The Old Testament rituals of sacrifice may not be in effect today, but sacrifice is not obsolete.

The purpose of Christianity is to bring glory and honor to God as followers of Christ commit themselves wholly to God’s service. When we respond to the sacrificial offering of Jesus’ death for our sins and receive Him as our personal Lord and Savior, we become a means by which God can receive honor. We leave behind our life of rebellion and defiance against God. We turn away from sin and selfish pleasure. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are no longer bound by the weaknesses of the flesh.

The Bible talks about our new life in Christ in terms of transformation and sacrifice.

“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” (Romans 12:1, NKJV). We are to present our bodies to God as living sacrifices that are holy and acceptable to Him. This is “reasonable sacrifice,” not something unordinary, but something God has every right to expect.

“Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). Paul was describing a gift of money given to help him while in prison. This financial offering was a “sweet smelling aroma,” bringing to mind God’s description of burnt offerings.

When people give from their hard-earned resources, that’s a sacrifice. Paul received this money and emphasized that those who gave it were giving as to the Lord and God accepted it as a sacrificial offering to himself.

“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” (Hebrews 13:15). We are to continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God. Any believer enjoys praising the Lord during good times. The one word that gives us problems is “continually.”

When we “continually” offer praise, we understand how it can become a sacrifice. Praising God when burying a loved one or fighting sickness or overcoming an injury or dealing with financial disaster or grieving a broken relationship is not so easy to do. It becomes a sacrifice of praise when we really don’t feel like offering it up to God.

Sacrifice is not obsolete. We have the privilege of giving something of value to our God. We can offer a living sacrifice, a financial sacrifice, or a praise sacrifice. As we give glory and honor to our God, we will discover that He pours love and encouragement and blessing into our lives.

Gary Rogers is senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Coweta, Okla.