Let’s continually offer God a sacrifice
by Margaret Silvester
We’re told to offer four sacrifices to God as we live our lives day by day. This isn’t an option, but a command. The sacrifices are to be offered because they please God, for no other reason.
‘The sacrifice of praise’ is to be continually offered. It’s praise from a heart overflowing with thanksgiving to God. The sacrifice of praise is to be offered through Jesus, who made one eternal sacrifice to bring sinners to God. It’s to be offered for Jesus, the changeless one who dwells within our hearts. Because praise is a sacrifice, it means we should offer it even when we don’t feel like it. We praise God for who He is and for what He’s done, whatever the circumstances.
‘The sacrifice of witnessing for Jesus’ is from the lips of those who confess the name of Jesus in a world that’s hostile to Him. True believers in the early church were persecuted for confessing the name of Jesus as supreme above all other names. For many it’s the same in our world today. People who make a public confession of their faith, refusing to compromise, make the sacrifice of witnessing for Jesus. For many this is costly.
‘The sacrifice of doing good’ is an important aspect of the Christian life in the New Testament. This isn’t salvation by works but doing good by sacrificially serving others. This is the fruit of ‘walking the walk’ and not just ‘talking the talk’. It’s the natural fruit from a life lived under the Lordship of Jesus. Jesus expected His disciples to do good works, and He sent them out to do them saying, ‘Freely you have received, freely give’ (Matthew 10:8). The disciples were amazed at the results (Luke 10:17). The sacrifice of doing good is the opposite to living life selfishly for oneself.
‘The sacrifice of sharing with others’ is the sacrifice of generous giving. It’s giving sacrificially to others. It’s giving of ourselves – our money, material possessions, our time. It’s costly. It’s the generous overflowing from the lives of those who’ve given themselves to the Lord and count nothing their own (2 Corinthians 8:5).
Paul told the Roman Christians to offer their bodies as living sacrifices as a spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1). It’s through our bodies that we praise, witness, do good and share with others. Your life today may be a bit mundane, but as you offer yourself to God He will use you to bring His blessing to others.
Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for giving Jesus to die on the cross and thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Please fill me afresh today with Your life-giving Spirit so that my life will count for You and be a blessing to others. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Margaret Silvester had a career as a teacher prior to being called into full time Christian Ministry with her husband, David, in 1986. They were involved in establishing a Healing Ministry in the local church and Margaret has a passion to see lost and wounded people found and restored. She and her husband joined the Ellel Ministries teaching and ministry team in 2000 after a clear call from God. Margaret`s book "Stepping Stones to the Father Heart of God" has recently been published.
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