Articles
Our Sacrifices for God
In a recent interview John Lennox observed that in both the old and new covenants sacrifice was offered at God’s instigation before the law/instructions were given. In other words, our acceptance by God is predicated on sacrifice, and out of that acceptance comes a sense of duty to the One who has saved us. As to Israel, God prescribed that a lamb be slain for the household, the blood be smeared on the entry and that the lamb be eaten with various stipulations in preparation for imminent departure from the genocidal oppression of Egypt. One would expect that with such a wonderful deliverance amidst awesome displays of divine power the Israelites would willingly and gladly devote themselves to the law God subsequently revealed at Mt. Sinai. However, Scripture tells a different story.
Both sacrifice and duty to God reach their zenith in the new covenant as God provides His own Son as the sacrifice, an offering of infinitely more value than all the lambs killed at the Egyptian Passover (and all that followed under the Mosaic system). And when the mind fully grasps this truth, there should be a corresponding response of submission, devotion, obedience and even sacrifice of one’s life to God in return.
Paul states it thusly: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal 2:20). And, “For the love of Christ constrains us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should no live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Cor 5:14-15).
But in light of what God has sacrificed for us, what are we to sacrifice to Him? And what is the purpose of our sacrifices?
First, when we realize what the sacrifice of Jesus saves us from, our obligation to God becomes clear. We were “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1), separated from God and existing in hopelessness destined for eternal banishment (cf. Rom 6:21-23; 7:24-8:3; 2 Th 1:9; etc.). But Jesus restores life and hope and purpose to us via His own sacrifice. That means that the life we have here on earth must be rightfully devoted back to Him, for without him there was nothing in our future but death and doom.
Second, whatever we do for God does not atone for our sin or supplement His sacrifice in any way, thus earning a favored status. Rather, the sacrifices we offer to God are in gratitude for what He already has done for us – service follows the sacrifice.
Third, the purpose of these sacrifices are to honor and glorify God (cf. 1 Cor 1:29-31; 10:31; Col 3:17). They may provide practical service to others, but ultimately God is glorified when His people, taught and motivated by His prior love and sacrifice for them, do the things in their lives that please Him and reflect His very character in us.
After concluding his great treatise on the gospel as the power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16), Paul exhorts: “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” (Rom 12:1). Note that Paul summarizes God’s response to us in our sinfulness as “mercies.” Already in Romans he has affirmed that the wrath of God has been and will be unleashed upon the faithless and disobedient (1:18; 2:3-11). But before our eternal fate is sealed, God has showered us with mercy, love and grace so that we will love Him in return. Consider: “(God) does not want a people whipped in line by the threat of law, but a people of faith, whose hearts have been touched by an appeal to God’s mercies toward them. God wants to win our hearts – to gain our willing service out of gratitude toward him. So he allures and woos us by the gospel. He appeals to us on the basis of his many expressions of pity or compassion” (Mott, Thinking Through Romans 160).
What does this mean in practical terms? It goes far beyond what one does in a congregational worship service. Such has its place, but our spiritual sacrifices don’t begin at the front door of the church building.
*A teen opts out of school activities that would compromise his/her spiritual obligations, perhaps at the cost of awards, scholarships or most certainly the favor of fellow schoolmates. Such choices are made to honor God and follow His will whatever the cost.
*A young Christian woman may sacrifice a secular career path in order to fulfill her role as a wife and mother. She recognizes the limits on her time, energy and the narrow window of nurturing opportunity, so she consciously decides to forego a higher income or professional rewards in order to serve her family.
*A young man decides to make preaching the gospel his vocation. He certainly has the intellect and skill set that could succeed in the corporate world, but he willingly forsakes the secular path for the spiritual. He does this, not to maintain a preaching tradition in his family or to gain notoriety among peers, but that he might “by all means save some” (1 Cor 9:22).
*A middle aged Christian man turns down a career-defining job promotion because he wants to serve the local church as an elder. He knows the new job will interfere on several levels with the spiritual work that the congregation has asked him to do, and he holds this to be of more value than professional status, a larger income and new avenues of opportunity.
*An older Christian couple decides to forego a comfortable country retirement to locate near an active, vibrant church where they can make valuable contributions via their wisdom, teaching experience, humble demeanor and hospitality. This may not be the retirement they dreamed of earlier in life, but they are willing to sacrifice to use their spiritual life skills for the spiritual benefit of others.
Serving the Lord will always require sacrifice, but the faithful do so gladly knowing that they “shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Lk 14: 14). Is your service characterized by sacrifice or convenience? Shall I give to the Lord only “that which costs me nothing” (2 Sam 24:24)?
