God
set up a system of sacrifices in the Old Testament. He demanded sacrifices
from His people. He told them what He wanted sacrificed, how it was to be
sacrificed, and even how to build the altar on which to sacrifice. In
exchange, He blessed them with an abundance of the animals and crops out of
which He desired sacrifices. He gave them the things first, then asked for a
small portion in return. Why?
Let's
back up and explore the Old Testament regarding altars before the time of
Moses receiving the laws on Mount Sinai. Four men voluntarily built altars
to God before that time. They were men who pleased God. They felt the desire
to build an altar to worship God. They were in tune with what God wanted to
do in their lives. Who were those men? They were Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob. They didn't need a law requiring sacrifices. They knew what would
please God and they did it. In return, God honored their sacrifices and
blessed them.
In the
Old Testament the sacrifices that God requested were of things that the
people ate and drank. They were of things that sustained life. The people
could live without clothing and shelter if the weather was mild. They could
never live without food to nourish their bodies.
They
were to sacrifice different objects for different reasons. At various times
they offered sheep, goats, oxen, and pigeons, wine, oil, and grain. The
scriptures say the offerings were a sweet savor (smell) to God. He specified
that the meat was all to be salted (seasoned) and some were to have
frankincense (perfume) on them. I imagine those things would even smell good
to me!!
When
giving and making sacrifices the people were thanking God. They were
thinking about Him and about the things He had done for them. Their minds
and hearts were on Him. They were focusing on the One that created them.
They were focusing on the One who loved them more than they even loved
themselves. That was what He desired. When they stayed focused on Him and
were keeping in remembrance all the things He had done for them then they
would, for the most part, automatically be seeking to do His will.
He
wanted to remind them that they would have nothing without Him. He wanted to
remind them that He created everything. He wanted to remind them that they
were only giving back to Him a small portion of what HE ALREADY OWNED. When
they were of that mindset then He would bless them abundantly. They were
given protection from all enemies. They had food in abundance. He gave them
the desires of their hearts.
Things
are basically the same today. The sacrifices as laid out in the Old
Testament have been replaced by even better sacrifices. The sacrifice for
sin was ended with a last, perfect sacrifice. That sacrifice was Jesus. We
only have to accept that sacrifice in order to partake of the benefits.
God is desiring sacrifice from you. Paul tells us in Romans 12:1,
"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."
God wants you. He created you. He has provided the
things that are necessary for you to live. He wants the first and He wants
the best. That's you. In His eyes you are perfect. He created you exactly
the way He wanted you. The only things that are imperfect about you are the
things you've added yourself. Anything that deviates from the basic root of
love is not of Him. (God is love. He created you out of love. He loves you.
He created you for you to love Him back. He created you for you to love His
other created people with the same love with which He loves you. Anything
within you that deviates from that is not of Him and is not something that
He loves.)
Every
person that God has created was created with special gifts and talents. Not
every person recognizes the fact that they have something special, but they
do. Not all gifts are obvious such as artistic ability, a beautiful singing
voice, a good memory, or athletic abilities. There are many, many other
gifts that aren't always recognized as such. Some have to do with being good
with numbers, organizational abilities, aptitude at repairing things,
neatness, and being able to put things in understandable terms. Some people
are good with other people. Some are especially patient with children or
handicapped people, some have a super-abundance of love, and some are quick
to lend a hand. I could go on and on. Some gifts and talents seem small, but
none are small. All are necessary. All are important. All are given by God.
You
have a choice to use your gifts and talents in any way you desire. He gave
them to you to use for Him, however. He has a place for them to be used.
That is why He wants your body as a living sacrifice. You are already His.
He wants you to voluntarily yield yourself to Him. He wants you to give
yourself back to Him.
You
will lose nothing by giving yourself to Him. Too many people resist because
they are afraid they won't have fun any more or God will make them do things
they don't want. He LOVES you! He wants you to have fun! He wants you to
smile! He wants you to enjoy life! Don't allow satan
to lie to you. You will
lose NOTHING by giving yourself to God!
Your
prayers are a sweet smelling sacrifice to God. Revelation 8:3-4 says,
"And
another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there
was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of
all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke
of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up
before God out of the angel's hand."
Praise
is an acceptable sacrifice. Hebrews 13:15 says,
"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."
Walking in love is an acceptable sacrifice. Jesus offered the sacrifice of
love and we are to do the same as it says in Ephesians 5:2,
"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."
Doing
kind things for others is an acceptable sacrifice. Paul said in Philippians
4:18,
"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."
The
sacrifices that please God are spiritual sacrifices. They are sacrifices
that arise because of your love for Him. They are sacrifices that result in
your seeking His will in your life. Because you seek to please Him, because
you seek to be doing His will you become a working member of the Body of
Christ. I love the way it is described in 1Peter 2:5, "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."
Lively stones!! By
allowing ourselves and our lives to be sacrifices to Him we become lively
stones. We are able to fit right in with other lively stones and become part
of a spiritual house! We become a holy priesthood! Think about it! Doesn't
that sound fascinating?
What
have you laid on the altar to give back to God? What do you think He would
like? What has He told you He wants? You know what He wants. You've heard
Him. Was it a gentle nudge that says, "Go to church?" Was it a soft voice
saying, "Put more money in your offering envelope?" Was it a desire you have
felt to sing out in praise and worship? Was it an urge to get on your knees
and humble yourself in front of Him? Was it a tiny voice that said, "Turn
off the TV and read your Bible?" Was it a push to reach out to help someone
for a reason you didn't understand?
You've heard Him. Have you listened?
What does He want you to lay on the altar?
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