Sacrifice

Several months ago I started doing a study on sacrifice, but I lost my notes, so I’m going to have to start over again. Bare with me here as I plunge into some thoughts and interesting Scripture verses on the subject…


Sacrifice for a Selfish Deed

The subject of sacrifice, as opposed to selfishness, is very interesting when you consider that selfishness was the cause or the reason that we find ourselves living in a disaster-filled world today, and a sacrifice was needed to rectify the wrong of that first selfish deed.

If we go back to the very beginning of the world--that would be the book of Genesis--we see that God created two perfectly sinless people named Adam and Eve. They lived in the Garden of Eden and were told they could eat of any tree they wished to…all except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan, in the form of a snake, tempted Eve. This is a conversation that transpired between the two…

Serpent: “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
Eve: “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.”
Serpent: “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

Satan promised that with the fruit of the forbidden tree came the supernatural knowledge of godhood. Selfishness, or self-interest, triggered Eve to reach out and take the fruit, because she wanted to be better than God had made her and better than God Himself.

THE RESULTS: And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Genesis 3:1-7

Selfishness was the first sin of disobedience to God, and today we still see that selfishness is a predominant curse which has destroyed and continues to destroy the human race.
The deed was done, and now a sacrifice was required.

“Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:12


Sacrifice of a Lamb

The first sacrificial deed ever recorded in human history is found in Genesis 3:21, when God killed an innocent animal to clothe Adam and Eve who realized their naked, and now sinful selves.

The first sacrifice for sin made by man is recorded in the Genesis 4, when Abel killed a lamb, thereby making temporary atonement, or payment, for his sins. From Genesis all the way to the books of the Gospels we see that the continual sacrificing of an animal was made to hold off God’s wrath towards sinful mankind. The blood of an animal was substituted for the life’s blood of a human who deserved to die.

In Exodus 12 we read that the captive Israelites were to kill a lamb and swipe the blood on the doorposts of their houses so that the firstborn would be spared when the death angel passed through the streets of Egypt.

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.”
Exodus 12:12-13

Blood was the only payment that would suppress God’s fury towards disobedient man. Hebrew 9:22 says, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

There’s a trail of blood leading from the first act of sin, and it continues on and on throughout the pages of the Bible. God, in His holiness, knew that the sin offering of an animal was only a temporary reconciliation, a band aide, if you will, for the real problem. The only payment that could permanently cancel God’s terrible judgment on mankind was the blood offering of a sinless person. But WHO? Who could save a people lost in sin?


Sacrifice of The Lamb

God Almighty sat on His great throne. His voice, like the sounds of many waters, thundered out, “Who will go and redeem My people?” The soft whispering of thousands of angels echoed like the soft rustling of reeds throughout the courts of Heaven. Who? Who would go? Suddenly One arrayed in garments as bright as the sun stepped forward. A hush fell. “I will go, Father. I will buy them back.” It was the voice of the perfect, spotless Son of God.

And God so loved the world full of lost sinners that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born of a young virgin, to live a sinless life, and finally to offer Himself as the perfect Lamb.

The sky was black as pitch. The ground trembled underfoot, and a terrible rumbling filled the heavens. The stifling air seemed almost about to crack with an unexplainable tension.
People stood all around, silent, as though expectant of something unknown. Earlier there had been much noise and commotion. The angry shouts of soldiers. The echoing ring of a hammer striking a nail. A long scream. A thud. Then groanings of agony.
Thunder rumbled in the distance. The occasional flash of lightening bathed the scene before me in an eerie glow. Through the dim light I discerned the form of three crosses on a hilltop. To the left and right hung two thieves to die as they deserved, but…there was something about that middle cross that drew my somber gaze. The sight I saw was one of indescribable suffering.
A body stretched on rough wood, nailed at the wrist and the feet. Blood flowed in torrents from that cross. Pooling at its foot, it ran in small streams off the side of the hill.
And as my eyes gazed upward, past a body so bruised and beaten and bloody, I saw the face of a man, almost unrecognizable. It was the face of One who had endured torture and mocking.
On His head was a crown of long, sharp thorns planted firmly into the scalp. I took in this scene of excruciating agony…and words failed me.
Suppressed emotions almost choked me and I felt hot tears welling in my eyes. I had almost turned away, but then my eyes met His gaze, so stead and sure. His eyes… I never saw such eyes. Such innocent eyes. Such love radiating, as though from a supernatural source. What I read there was not anger or rage or hate, but…forgiveness. He seemed to look right through me…as though He was seeing into my very soul.
I lowered my head, feeling shame and guilt because I knew what secrets I guarded inside, and still I felt the warmth of His love washing over me. I backed away in confusion and cowered in the shadows.
All was still and calm. Then came a soft voice, breaking the quietness. “Father! Forgive them, for they know not what they do!” I could hardly believe my ears, but I saw His lips utter those astounding words. The soldiers and others close enough to hear whispered among themselves. Who was this man that forgave those who had so cruelly abused Him without a cause?
It grew darker still and the low rumbling noise increased. The air seemed charged with a strange, unidentifiable energy. It was as though the whole universe stood still as if transfixed, time had stopped, and the eyes of nature were focused on this scene as though it was the axis on which all history--past, present, and future--turned. Tension mounted. Then a powerful cry wrenched the air. “IT IS FINISHED!”
The earth shook violently. Suddenly the sky exploded with crashing thunder and lightening licked the ground as quick flashes of blinding white light pierced the blackness--like a snake furiously lashing out its tongue at its victim. The heavens above opened up and angrily unleashed pounding rain and hail.
I fell to the ground as though struck, and as I did so, my hand splashed in sticky liquid. Blood. His blood. Trembling, I gazed up at the now limp form stretched on the cross. It was as though an unseen battle had been waging all that time as He hung there dying…and now, with His last breath, it was won!
Surely, this was the Son of God who had taken the sins of the world in His body and bled and died that we might live. Jesus Christ, the Lamb, had offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice.

“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first [lamb offering], that he may establish the second [Jesus’ offering on the cross]. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Hebrews 10:4-10


Spiritual Sacrifices

The need for animal sacrifice was done away with when Christ completed His work on Calvary. The blood of Jesus washes away our sins. Praise God!!! Still, the Lord asks sacrifices of us, His blood-bought children.

We talk quite freely about sacrifice, but do we really know what we mean when we say “sacrifice?” I didn’t realize until recently how many verses there are that mention specific sacrifices that we, as Christians, are to make.

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5

Each one who has received Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour is like a building stone, a brick, and together we make a spiritual house, a church, and it is there that we offer sacrifice--not bulls and lambs, but spiritual sacrifices.

The following points were such a blessing to me! Let’s take a look at some of these spiritual sacrifices…

~ Body
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

How do we present our bodies as a living sacrifice? As Christians it is our obligation to look, dress, smell, talk, act, and live like the blood-bought children of the highest King of kings and Lord of lords! This is certainly a sacrifice; it’s not always easy! But Paul says it’s your “reasonable service.” Translated, that means this: it’s really not too much to ask. It’s reasonable!

As ladies it is our responsibility to dress in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord and helps our brothers in Christ grow closer to Him; that means we don’t cause them to lust! Guys have the responsibility to be clean-shaved and have a short haircut and also to dress in a neat way that glorifies God’s name.

Not only are we supposed to be outwardly presentable, but we should act and live in a way that is holy and acceptable to God. People around us are studying us. What do they see? Are we blameless? The Bible refers to our lives as letters known and read of all men. Do people look at you and detect a noticeable difference? It’s only reasonable that you look different from this world since you’ve been born into the kingdom of God.

~ Righteousness & Trust
“Stand in awe, and sin not…Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.” Psalm 4:4-5

It’s a sacrifice to live righteously. The world doesn’t like somebody who tries to be different--a person who goes against the grain. You can be guaranteed that if you are living right, Satan is going to throw everything he’s got your way. Be prepared! It’s not easy, but it is the only path that leads to lasting reward.

“Put your trust in the Lord.” Trusting the Lord is a sacrifice for sure. There are times in my life when I’ve looking to heaven and cried, “What are You doing?! I don’t understand!!!” The Christian life is a pathway that sometimes requires blind faith. I have to trust that God is working all things together for good because I love Him (Romans 8:28).

~ Love
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Ephesians 5:2

If you have a family and live with them 24 hours a day, then you already know it’s a sacrifice to walk in love and keep walking in love. Brothers and sisters can test one’s patience to the limit. We have a saying in our house. “Smile and nod.” Sometimes it’s best to just shut up. A soft answer (or no answer at all) turneth away wrath.

Then there are other times when you meet up with brothers and sisters in the Lord who you love but don’t really get along with well; sometimes people’s personalities tend to clash. Remember what Proverbs 10:12 says, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” The best way to learn to love somebody is to pray for them. “Lord, help me to love ______ with Your love, because mine isn’t sufficient of itself.”

~ Communication
“But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” Hebrews 13:16

Communication is essential for everyday living. Those who don’t communicate properly often have a difficult time in life. Often busy schedules can cause it to be even more difficult to communicate effectively, as people are racing about in life. Communication is a sacrifice. I know I often have a hard time putting my feelings into words and letting those I love get a glimpse into my heart.

Paul says, “To do good…” In other words, it’s a good thing to communicate! There are so many ways of communication, especially these days when we not only have snail mail, but email and instant messaging and unlimited phone service. Anybody can reach anyone just about anywhere at any time.
Being a missionary’s daughter, I often think how blessed we are to be able to contact those we love in just a matter of minutes, across the great expanse of an ocean. God is so good! Sometimes, though, I think that as the means of communication has progressed unbelievably, people communicate less. Life gets busy, and sometimes we become so preoccupied with our lives that we forget about others. We forget about lonely missionaries on foreign fields, and even those closer to home, like the older folks in our churches.
Those of us who are young often tend to be selfish. (Yes, it’s that very first sin from our father Adam rearing its ugly head once again.) Our whole life lies before us, and we have so many grand plans we wish to carry out. We forget that we aren’t the only ones who have physical, and even more important, emotional needs.
We would do well to STOP for just a few minutes and ask the Lord how we can reach out to others. We need to let Christ have some say in our lives for a change! How can we communicate better? Maybe take some time and sit down and write a missionary or somebody who is going through a struggle, or bring some fresh baking to an older person in your church. It’s a sacrifice of your time and your energy, but you might be surprised how happy you could make a soul that is so very precious to the Lord. And in the meantime you’ll make yourself glad as well, because you’ve made a spiritual sacrifice to God!

What do you think is the most important message we can communicate to those around us? The Gospel! Soul winning isn’t an easy thing, at least, it isn’t easy for me. I think even the most outgoing person on this earth has a hard time speaking with people about the fact that they are sinners and their sin is going to send them to Hell. There’s that element of pride inside that screams, “You look like an idiot! You shouldn’t be offending these people! What will they think of you?” And then there is that nagging fear of, “What if I say something wrong? What if I don’t have the right answer?” Soul winning isn’t an easy task, yet the Lord says we are not to forget to communicate in this way and that He is well pleased with this sacrifice.

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:14-15

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30

~ Thanksgiving & Praise
“And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.” Psalm 107:22
“I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.” Psalm 54:6
“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.” Psalm 116:17
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15
“But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving.” Jonah 2:9

Sometimes we find ourselves surrounded by trying situations we never believed could exist…and certainly not in our lives. Marital problems, financial problems, relationship problems, health issues…the list goes on and on. It’s hard not to become depressed under such a load of cares. This is when giving thanks and praise to God becomes a sacrifice. It’s so easy to be glad when life is going fine, but the true test of sacrificial thanksgiving and praise is when we’re surrounded by trouble and there seems to be no way out. We have a choice--curse God or bless Him.

As Job lay covered in sores, all his children dead, and earthly possessions stolen or destroyed, his wife’s advice was, “Curse God and die.” (Nice lady!) Job’s response was this: “Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” And the Bible continues on to say “In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” Job refused to put the blame for his trials on God and yield to the pressure of his wife and “friends.” Instead, Job offered a sacrifice of praise most precious to God. “And [Job] said, ‘Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.’”

~ Joy
“And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.” Psalm 27:6

Joy is the fruit of the sacrificial gifts of thanksgiving and praise. When God sees a heart willing to trust and praise Him even in tribulation, He gives a wellspring of joy, and we make a sacrifice when we pour that joy out before Him in the midst of trials. Often we face what are called every-day irritations. Sometimes it’s not so much the big problems that cause frustration as the many small ones.

Everything you touch falls to the ground and smashes to smithereens. The kids spill milk and food all over the kitchen or track mud onto the freshly scrubbed floors. You feel sick, and nobody understands how ill you are. You can’t stand your job. You are ridiculed at school because you are a Christian. You feel like too much is expected from you, and you can’t do anything right. Life seems to be pressing in on every side. Everything adds up until there is an explosion of anger or tears.

At these times it truly is a sacrifice to be joyful. It’s a sacrifice to say, “Praise the Lord anyway!” and trust that better days are ahead. David said, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11) When we find ourselves in a crisis, we need to stop and find a quiet place and get in God’s presence. It is there that we will discover the refreshing our souls desire and the fortitude to go on. And then in the middle of what feels like chaos we offer the sweet sacrifices of joy to the Lord.

~ Prayer
“LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” Psalm 141:2

David compared his prayer, the deepest longings of his heart, as a sacrifice to God. Prayer is one of the hardest things I do. When it comes time to pray all at once I can think of several unpleasant jobs that suddenly look very appealing. And when it’s not that problem, then it’s the distractions that never fail to come up. I have to force myself to bow the knee before God.

Why is prayer so difficult? Well, for one thing, my wicked, prideful flesh doesn’t like to humble itself in prayer. When I pray I’m admitting that I have no strength or wisdom of my own. I am throwing myself on God’s mercy, acknowledging that I need divine help and guidance in my life. Prayer is a battle, in that I am turning my back on all that my eyes can see and my hands can touch, and I am reaching out in faith for that which cannot be felt or seen. I’m exiting the temporal world and entering the spiritual realm of the eternal. This is when I come in contact with God and my spirit is refreshed. For this reason the devil hates a praying Christian, so pray, Christian!!! Offer the sacrifice of prayer to God! It is a worthy endeavor indeed!

~ Broken Spirit & Contrite Heart
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17

That which is viewed by this world as despicable is beautiful to the Lord. He loves a spirit of submission and contrition. Is it any surprise that this, also, is seen as a sacrifice to God? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus blessed those whom the world would reject. The poor in spirit, those that mourned, the meek, those that hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted.

God willingly accepts those who come to Him in humility, realizing their need, but He turns His back to the proud. “Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.” (Psalm 138:6) How do we captivate God’s attention? By eliminating every despicable speck of selfish pride. By coming to Him with a heart broken by the realization of sin and a spirit of repentance. One of the greatest displays of sacrifice is prayer and fasting. Truly getting a hold of God!!! Jesus said, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29) Some things just won’t change unless we show God that we are serious.

Has there ever been a time in your life when you were extremely upset about something--perhaps a friend or loved one who was backslidden or lost--when you wanted something so desperately that you were willing to do anything, to give up anything, in order to see God work? Sometimes the sorrow is so overwhelming that words just won’t come…they aren’t enough. Then “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)

Have you spent time crying out to God, sobbing for the deepest burdens of your heart? Have you shown Him the results of a broken spirit? God hears the cry of the righteous. As a father, when he hears his child crying, the Father in Heaven looks down and sees and hears and comforts and mends the broken hearts of His children. It is a sacrifice well pleasing to God when we care so much about others that we become broken for them.

Then there are some things that won’t change until we get right! I wonder how often we have stood in God’s way. How many times has our pride, our selfishness, our own great plans, hindered a marvelous work He was willing to do? Christian, don’t stand in God’s way; that is a dangerous place to be! We need to be so very careful that sin does not rob us of the blessings God desires to pour out upon us.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

~ Giving
“Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:17-19

In this verse Paul is speaking to the Philippians about their gifts to him, which he said were a sacrifice acceptable and well pleasing to God. The Bible speaks many times about tithing. It is every Christian’s responsibility to give 10% of his or her income to the Lord. This is to support the pastor, the church, and missionaries. Paul was a missionary, and he needed financial support to continue the ministry he had received of the Lord. He accepted the gifts from the Philippians as their sacrifice to God.

God does not call every Christian into fulltime ministry and service on the mission field. Few are called, but those left behind to stay “with the stuff” have their own responsibilities. God gives those members in the church a part in missionary work by supporting the workers on foreign fields financially and with prayer. So, you see, as long as we are sacrificing as we ought to be, we are all missionaries, whether we go to the mission field or stay on the home front and supply the needs of foreign laborers.

Not only should we be giving our money to the Lord, but our time and effort as well. God desires our bodies as living sacrifices. How can we become a living sacrifice? By giving ourselves! “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” (2 Corinthians 8:5) Recently I heard the story of a young couple who goes to the alter to surrender to the mission field every time they have a missions conference at their church. They make themselves available to God…and that is all He asks. God sees our willingness to serve as though we had already done it! (Romans 4:17) When we give God our best, He promises to supply all our needs. Our need determines God’s supply!

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38

Better Than Sacrifice

“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.” 1 Samuel 15:22

With all these sacrifices mentioned above, we haven’t mentioned the ultimate spiritual sacrifice that God requires of His children. The greatest offering we can ever give God is the sacrifice of absolute obedience. Better than anything else we could offer Him is a will totally surrendered to the Lord.

King Saul thought he could please God by sacrificing cattle when his orders were to destroy everything that belonged to the Amalekites. Instead of obeying, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered up sacrifices in carnality. Saul had a fake sense of holiness. He did what appeared to be right, but he was really in rebellion to God’s will. The price he paid was high--his removal from the throne and eventually his life.

“Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”

Beware of false holiness! Deeds not done from the heart do not count. We cannot offer one spiritual sacrifice and think we escape the others that we do not like. God must be obeyed all the way. Once we have abandoned our will to Him, all the sacrifices above will come naturally as the Spirit of God works in our lives. The first step to spiritual victory is this--obedience.

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5