Come, let us Sacrifice to our God!
Does it shock you that in the 20th century God demands that we “sacrifice” to Him? In the bygone days people sacrificed cattle, birds and food items to show their love to God or to appease an angry God. Today God doesn’t ask of us the material sacrifice of blood of bulls and goats which is easier but rather a better spiritual sacrifice (Heb 9:23; 1 Pet 2:5). There are things better than sacrifices and God will certainly smell a sweet smelling aroma if we offer them.
1. Relationships better than Sacrifices
Just before we drop our money in the offering plate in the Church, if we suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against us, we should not let the coin part our fingers. We must put it back in our purse, leave the Church service immediately, go to his friend and make things right. Then and only then should we come back to offer to God! The first step is always the hardest.
If we get up and go the rest will flow (Mt 5:23,24). The passage starts with a “Therefore” because the context is getting angry with our brothers or sisters without reason, carelessly calling anyone of them an idiot. The reason why a dog has many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue! How wonderful it would be if we learn to wag our tails instead of our tongues! Relationships are a barometer of our spirituality. Hostility hurts hearts.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise” (Psa 51:17). God’s Word is a hammer that breaks the rocks. If it doesn’t break us and make us go to our brother or sister to set our relationship back on the rails, we are harder than rocks.
2. Love for God and man better than Sacrifices
To love God with all our passion, with all our intelligence, with all our soul and with all our energy and to love others as we love ourselves is more than burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mk 12:33). The top and tail of our Christian life ought to be love.
God demands the first place in our hearts. He was offended when Priest Eli put his sons before Him (1 Sam 2:29). Even during the Old Testament days God abhored the sacrifices offered to Him without ardour (Isa 1:11). God complained of Israel that they cast Him behind their backs (Ezek 23:35). It is sad that many of us want God for our needs but do not love Him heart of hearts. David was head over heels in love with God (Psa 42:1). Do we pant for God?
The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews tells us to share what we have with others—a different kind of “sacrifice” that takes place in the kitchen, workplace and on the streets, that God takes particular pleasure in (Heb 13:16). Love for God and man go hand in hand. Unfortunately many ardent lovers of God are stymied when it comes to fellowmen. A man’s true wealth is the good he has done to his fellowmen and none is so empty as he who is full of himself.
When certain Pharisees condemned the disciples of Jesus, He said that He preferred gentleness and kindness to sacrifices (Mt 12:7). Let us put ourselves in the other’s shoes before pointing a finger at him/her. So walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling aroma (Eph 5:2).
3. Sacrificial spirit better than Sacrifices
It is the attitude, not the action. The widow wanted to give as much as possible to God, and gave her all. That is possibility! For us even one tenth is not possible. How come ? It is time to change our attitude. God doesn’t beg for our pittance. Silver and gold and the whole world are His. But He expects our driving force to be a sacrificial attitude. Are we willing to give up our luxuries, our five-star comforts, our surfeiting and lavishness, the pomp and pageantry of high position that His Kingdom may extend? There is a great deal which has to be scrapped off our bloated lifestyle.
There was a barren woman by name Hannah who was blessed with a son after many years. She placed him on the altar of God for His service. It was not what she gave but the heart of a mother willing to be separated from a precious long-awaited child for the sake of God! That’s what puts the widow’s sacrifice above the rich ones!
Paul writes to the Philippian believers that their sacrificial gifts were like the sweet smell of sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing to God (Phil 4:18). Let us not give to God the rotten food, blind and the lame and the diseased which we will not dare give to our Collector, but give the best and the most treasured of our possessions that will pinch us (Mal 1:7,8,14).
4. Service better than Sacrifices
When the Pharisees expressed their displeasure at Jesus’ eating with disreputable characters, He shot back that He was after mercy and not sacrifices, that He had come to invite the outsiders in and not pamper the insiders (Mt 9: 11-13). Many Christians are burning torchlights in sunlight wasting their batteries. Jesus did not shun the company of sinners.
God was hurt deeply when not one was willing to serve in the temple without being paid for it, and He refused to accept their offerings (Mal 1:10). We can support missionaries and buy things for the church. But that alone is not enough. God expects every one of us to be witnesses in some active way to bawdy street-walkers, pickpockets, robbers, beggars and the lowest scum of our neighbourhood. If we have the mercy that Jesus mentioned for the hell-bound, we will be indefatigable workers.
5. Presentation of body better than Sacrifices
During the Old Testament days the cattle or bird for offering was killed and placed on the altar. In the New Testament we are admonished to place our own bodies on the altar. That is a living sacrifice that thrills God (Rom 12:1).
Many times we forget that our body is the temple of God and we need to maintain it as pure and clean as we would God’s house. We don’t bother to break our bad habits that desecrate our bodies. Absolute discipline of the body pleases God as an aromatic sacrifice. Paul says that he battered his body and brought it to subjection (1 Cor 9:27). If we are wicked, God abhors our sacrifices (Prov 15:8). Jesus said, “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire but a body You have prepared for Me.” We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ laid on the altar of the cross (Heb 10:5-10). To o the will of God, to sanctify us, Jesus suffered bodily. How much do we suffer in our body for our sanctification and that of others? It is not the fragrance and smoke from the altar that whet God’s appetite. It is something else.
6. Obedience better than Sacrifices
When we act against the will of God any number of sacrifices will not appease Him. God rejected Saul’s offering for the same reason (1 Sam 15:22). Even great prophets and miracle-workers may find themselves on the wrong side of the door when they reach the top floor. Saying ‘Master, Master’ isn’t going to get us anywhere. What is required is serious obedience. On that last judgment day when we strut up to Him and say, “Lord, we preached the message, bashed demons, our projects had everyone talking,” He’ll reply, “You missed the boat. All you did was use Me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress Me one bit. Get out” (Mt 7:21-24 The Message).
When it is not convenient for us to obey God we put away His Word and do other things to please Him. But unless we come full circle round to the point of repentance and submit ourselves to His Word, God is not going to be happy with us. “I have written for him the great things of My law. But they were considered a strange thing. For the sacrifices of My offerings they sacrifice flesh and eat it. But the Lord does not accept them” (Hos 8:12,13). “Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people—the fruit of their thoughts; because they have not heeded My words, nor My law, but rejected it. For what purpose to Me comes frankincense from Sheba and sweetcane from a far country ? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet to Me” (Jer 6:19,20). If in our life we have disobeyed God blatantly, it is time to set it right than to try to pacify Him by other means. Obedience may be difficult; but believe me, when you do it, it is a tummyturning thrill!
7. Righteousness better than Sacrifices
A coldness has settled on Christians. We go as the world goes and on Sundays go to church. We are no different from our worldly counterparts. What God asks of His people is a life of righteousness that is glaringly different from that of non-Christians. David admonishes us to “offer the sacrifices of righteousness” (Psa 4:5). His son goes one step further to say, “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice” (Prov 21:3). Ethics are simple matters of right and wrong. It is the practice of ethics that is difficult. But if we do the right thing we will be forever strengthened.
Christians must stand up for justice and root out evil. It is not just the good we do, it is the bad we prevent. Not to act when we see injustice meted out to someone is a complete confession of failure and a submission to evil. In situations where the policemen are paid to look the other way, one person’s refusal to remain silent can a make a difference. Instead of being a mute witness, every Christian should be His Master’s Voice. Stand up for those who have no voice. He who does not prevent a crime, when he can, encourages it.
8. Faith better than Sacrifices
By an act of faith Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought that made the difference (Heb 11:4). How can our offering to God excel that of others? It is by simply holding the fort when life goes topsyturvy, when our plans go awry, when block after block crosses our way. When winds of false doctrine were blowing across Philippi, the believers refused to let themselves be estranged from their virgin faith. Paul, the ace of apostles, calls it the sacrifice of faith (Phil 2:17). Let us not be tossed to and fro like children but tighten our belts and “contend for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints.”
Speaking about the last day carnal Christians, Paul says, like the Egyptian frauds, Jannes and Jambres, they were rejects from the faith, twisted in their thinking, denying the truth itself. Paul adds, “But you have carefully followed my... faith... persecutions, afflictions... Yes, all who desire to live godly in Christ will suffer persecution” (2 Tim 3:8-12). In these last days it is not enough to be soldiers of faith; we must be militants of faith.
9. Praise better than Sacrifices
Many Christians hit absolute bottom because they have not learnt to praise God in everything. King David had enough trials around him to depress him; yet he sang, “I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle. I will sing, yes I will sing praises to the Lord” (Psa 27:6). It is not mumbling “Praise the Lord” with a long face and a heavy heart. It is jubilant shouts of boisterous praise with heartful of effusive thanksgiving. Christians should be the happiest people on earth singing and beaming with delight all the time. We should push awa the ghosts taunting us and refuse to succumb to depression and spiritual inanition through the joy of the Lord.
The reason for our exhilaration should not be earthly pleasure, rather as the author of Hebrews points, “Here we have no ontinuing city, but we seek the one to come. 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” (Heb 13:15). When enemies broke in and seized their goods, the early believers let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch their real treasure (Heb 10:34). Amazing! Can we imagine such a situation today ? Those whose heart is set on worldly affairs can never be joyful in adverse circumstances. The secret of overflowing joy is to set our minds on the City to come. Let us glorify God by our otherworldly attitude (Psa 50:23).
Even in the Old Testament days people were supposed to come with praises along with their sacrifices (Jer 17:26). A sour hour of prayer can be transformed into a power hour by exuberant raises!
10. Prayer better than Sacrifices
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight” (Prov 15:8). In the heavenly scenario we visualize an angel holding up a golden bowl before the altar offering incence to God. The all important ingredient of the incence was the prayer of saints (Rev 8:3). Oh, how it delights God when we talk to Him! Maintaining a good prayer life at all cost is a rigorous discipline of the mind and will. It is a far superior sacrifice. Ironically Jesus drove away the cattle kept for sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple and set free the doves and thundered that His house was designated a house of prayer, but they had made it a hangout for thieves (Mt 21:12,13). Where was his heart ? In the cattle of the sages or the prayer of His saints? If you don’t get one hour to pray everyday, you are doing something else out of God’s will. Find out what that something is and hack it off your schedule. That will be a better sacrifice to God than all your material sacrifices. Sacrifices have not become obsolete. Come, let us offer up these spiritual sacrifices to our great King !
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
Come, let us Sacrifice to our God!
Does it shock you that in the 20th century God demands that we “sacrifice” to Him? In the bygone days people sacrificed cattle, birds and food items to show their love to God or to appease an angry God. Today God doesn’t ask of us the material sacrifice of blood of bulls and goats which is easier but rather a better spiritual sacrifice (Heb 9:23; 1 Pet 2:5). There are things better than sacrifices and God will certainly smell a sweet smelling aroma if we offer them.
1. Relationships better than Sacrifices
Just before we drop our money in the offering plate in the Church, if we suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against us, we should not let the coin part our fingers. We must put it back in our purse, leave the Church service immediately, go to his friend and make things right. Then and only then should we come back to offer to God! The first step is always the hardest.
If we get up and go the rest will flow (Mt 5:23,24). The passage starts with a “Therefore” because the context is getting angry with our brothers or sisters without reason, carelessly calling anyone of them an idiot. The reason why a dog has many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue! How wonderful it would be if we learn to wag our tails instead of our tongues! Relationships are a barometer of our spirituality. Hostility hurts hearts.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise” (Psa 51:17). God’s Word is a hammer that breaks the rocks. If it doesn’t break us and make us go to our brother or sister to set our relationship back on the rails, we are harder than rocks.
2. Love for God and man better than Sacrifices
To love God with all our passion, with all our intelligence, with all our soul and with all our energy and to love others as we love ourselves is more than burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mk 12:33). The top and tail of our Christian life ought to be love.
God demands the first place in our hearts. He was offended when Priest Eli put his sons before Him (1 Sam 2:29). Even during the Old Testament days God abhored the sacrifices offered to Him without ardour (Isa 1:11). God complained of Israel that they cast Him behind their backs (Ezek 23:35). It is sad that many of us want God for our needs but do not love Him heart of hearts. David was head over heels in love with God (Psa 42:1). Do we pant for God?
The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews tells us to share what we have with others—a different kind of “sacrifice” that takes place in the kitchen, workplace and on the streets, that God takes particular pleasure in (Heb 13:16). Love for God and man go hand in hand. Unfortunately many ardent lovers of God are stymied when it comes to fellowmen. A man’s true wealth is the good he has done to his fellowmen and none is so empty as he who is full of himself.
When certain Pharisees condemned the disciples of Jesus, He said that He preferred gentleness and kindness to sacrifices (Mt 12:7). Let us put ourselves in the other’s shoes before pointing a finger at him/her. So walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling aroma (Eph 5:2).
3. Sacrificial spirit better than Sacrifices
It is the attitude, not the action. The widow wanted to give as much as possible to God, and gave her all. That is possibility! For us even one tenth is not possible. How come ? It is time to change our attitude. God doesn’t beg for our pittance. Silver and gold and the whole world are His. But He expects our driving force to be a sacrificial attitude. Are we willing to give up our luxuries, our five-star comforts, our surfeiting and lavishness, the pomp and pageantry of high position that His Kingdom may extend? There is a great deal which has to be scrapped off our bloated lifestyle.
There was a barren woman by name Hannah who was blessed with a son after many years. She placed him on the altar of God for His service. It was not what she gave but the heart of a mother willing to be separated from a precious long-awaited child for the sake of God! That’s what puts the widow’s sacrifice above the rich ones!
Paul writes to the Philippian believers that their sacrificial gifts were like the sweet smell of sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing to God (Phil 4:18). Let us not give to God the rotten food, blind and the lame and the diseased which we will not dare give to our Collector, but give the best and the most treasured of our possessions that will pinch us (Mal 1:7,8,14).
4. Service better than Sacrifices
When the Pharisees expressed their displeasure at Jesus’ eating with disreputable characters, He shot back that He was after mercy and not sacrifices, that He had come to invite the outsiders in and not pamper the insiders (Mt 9: 11-13). Many Christians are burning torchlights in sunlight wasting their batteries. Jesus did not shun the company of sinners.
God was hurt deeply when not one was willing to serve in the temple without being paid for it, and He refused to accept their offerings (Mal 1:10). We can support missionaries and buy things for the church. But that alone is not enough. God expects every one of us to be witnesses in some active way to bawdy street-walkers, pickpockets, robbers, beggars and the lowest scum of our neighbourhood. If we have the mercy that Jesus mentioned for the hell-bound, we will be indefatigable workers.
5. Presentation of body better than Sacrifices
During the Old Testament days the cattle or bird for offering was killed and placed on the altar. In the New Testament we are admonished to place our own bodies on the altar. That is a living sacrifice that thrills God (Rom 12:1).
Many times we forget that our body is the temple of God and we need to maintain it as pure and clean as we would God’s house. We don’t bother to break our bad habits that desecrate our bodies. Absolute discipline of the body pleases God as an aromatic sacrifice. Paul says that he battered his body and brought it to subjection (1 Cor 9:27). If we are wicked, God abhors our sacrifices (Prov 15:8). Jesus said, “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire but a body You have prepared for Me.” We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ laid on the altar of the cross (Heb 10:5-10). To o the will of God, to sanctify us, Jesus suffered bodily. How much do we suffer in our body for our sanctification and that of others? It is not the fragrance and smoke from the altar that whet God’s appetite. It is something else.
6. Obedience better than Sacrifices
When we act against the will of God any number of sacrifices will not appease Him. God rejected Saul’s offering for the same reason (1 Sam 15:22). Even great prophets and miracle-workers may find themselves on the wrong side of the door when they reach the top floor. Saying ‘Master, Master’ isn’t going to get us anywhere. What is required is serious obedience. On that last judgment day when we strut up to Him and say, “Lord, we preached the message, bashed demons, our projects had everyone talking,” He’ll reply, “You missed the boat. All you did was use Me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress Me one bit. Get out” (Mt 7:21-24 The Message).
When it is not convenient for us to obey God we put away His Word and do other things to please Him. But unless we come full circle round to the point of repentance and submit ourselves to His Word, God is not going to be happy with us. “I have written for him the great things of My law. But they were considered a strange thing. For the sacrifices of My offerings they sacrifice flesh and eat it. But the Lord does not accept them” (Hos 8:12,13). “Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people—the fruit of their thoughts; because they have not heeded My words, nor My law, but rejected it. For what purpose to Me comes frankincense from Sheba and sweetcane from a far country ? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet to Me” (Jer 6:19,20). If in our life we have disobeyed God blatantly, it is time to set it right than to try to pacify Him by other means. Obedience may be difficult; but believe me, when you do it, it is a tummyturning thrill!
7. Righteousness better than Sacrifices
A coldness has settled on Christians. We go as the world goes and on Sundays go to church. We are no different from our worldly counterparts. What God asks of His people is a life of righteousness that is glaringly different from that of non-Christians. David admonishes us to “offer the sacrifices of righteousness” (Psa 4:5). His son goes one step further to say, “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice” (Prov 21:3). Ethics are simple matters of right and wrong. It is the practice of ethics that is difficult. But if we do the right thing we will be forever strengthened.
Christians must stand up for justice and root out evil. It is not just the good we do, it is the bad we prevent. Not to act when we see injustice meted out to someone is a complete confession of failure and a submission to evil. In situations where the policemen are paid to look the other way, one person’s refusal to remain silent can a make a difference. Instead of being a mute witness, every Christian should be His Master’s Voice. Stand up for those who have no voice. He who does not prevent a crime, when he can, encourages it.
8. Faith better than Sacrifices
By an act of faith Abel brought a better sacrifice to God than Cain. It was what he believed, not what he brought that made the difference (Heb 11:4). How can our offering to God excel that of others? It is by simply holding the fort when life goes topsyturvy, when our plans go awry, when block after block crosses our way. When winds of false doctrine were blowing across Philippi, the believers refused to let themselves be estranged from their virgin faith. Paul, the ace of apostles, calls it the sacrifice of faith (Phil 2:17). Let us not be tossed to and fro like children but tighten our belts and “contend for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints.”
Speaking about the last day carnal Christians, Paul says, like the Egyptian frauds, Jannes and Jambres, they were rejects from the faith, twisted in their thinking, denying the truth itself. Paul adds, “But you have carefully followed my... faith... persecutions, afflictions... Yes, all who desire to live godly in Christ will suffer persecution” (2 Tim 3:8-12). In these last days it is not enough to be soldiers of faith; we must be militants of faith.
9. Praise better than Sacrifices
Many Christians hit absolute bottom because they have not learnt to praise God in everything. King David had enough trials around him to depress him; yet he sang, “I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle. I will sing, yes I will sing praises to the Lord” (Psa 27:6). It is not mumbling “Praise the Lord” with a long face and a heavy heart. It is jubilant shouts of boisterous praise with heartful of effusive thanksgiving. Christians should be the happiest people on earth singing and beaming with delight all the time. We should push awa the ghosts taunting us and refuse to succumb to depression and spiritual inanition through the joy of the Lord.
The reason for our exhilaration should not be earthly pleasure, rather as the author of Hebrews points, “Here we have no ontinuing city, but we seek the one to come. 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” (Heb 13:15). When enemies broke in and seized their goods, the early believers let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch their real treasure (Heb 10:34). Amazing! Can we imagine such a situation today ? Those whose heart is set on worldly affairs can never be joyful in adverse circumstances. The secret of overflowing joy is to set our minds on the City to come. Let us glorify God by our otherworldly attitude (Psa 50:23).
Even in the Old Testament days people were supposed to come with praises along with their sacrifices (Jer 17:26). A sour hour of prayer can be transformed into a power hour by exuberant raises!
10. Prayer better than Sacrifices
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight” (Prov 15:8). In the heavenly scenario we visualize an angel holding up a golden bowl before the altar offering incence to God. The all important ingredient of the incence was the prayer of saints (Rev 8:3). Oh, how it delights God when we talk to Him! Maintaining a good prayer life at all cost is a rigorous discipline of the mind and will. It is a far superior sacrifice. Ironically Jesus drove away the cattle kept for sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple and set free the doves and thundered that His house was designated a house of prayer, but they had made it a hangout for thieves (Mt 21:12,13). Where was his heart ? In the cattle of the sages or the prayer of His saints? If you don’t get one hour to pray everyday, you are doing something else out of God’s will. Find out what that something is and hack it off your schedule. That will be a better sacrifice to God than all your material sacrifices. Sacrifices have not become obsolete. Come, let us offer up these spiritual sacrifices to our great King !
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
