Christian Living
My Sacrifice to God
What is a Sacrifice? Because the Old Testament Sacrifice pointed to Christ and the New Testament Sacrifice identifies with Christ, they differ just a little in meaning. For the Old Testament believer, his sacrifice to God served as a substitute payment for his sins. This sacrifice pointed to the ultimate Sacrifice, Jesus Christ. God Himself made the first sacrifice when He, in the garden of Eden slew two lambs to cover Adam and Eve’s physical body after they sinned. It cost two innocent lambs their life in order for Adam and Eve’s shame to be covered. This pointed to the sacrifice of the Lamb of God for the shame, nakedness, and sins of humanity.
We know from the book of Leviticus that the sacrifice had to be without blemish, with out fault, or defect. The sacrificial offering of the lambs in the garden Of Eden was without blemish for they was freshly created by God. The ultimate sacrifice, Jesus is without blemish, sinless. In the days of Malachi the people offered to God sacrifices that were lame and sick and God said they were cursed with their sacrifices. Why? Because their sacrifices pointed to the spotless Son of God. Their sacrifices revealed how they viewed God. God rebuked Eli the priest because his sons did not respect the sacrifices the people offered to God, but took what the people brought to God for themselves.
Now for the New Testament believer, the word sacrifice takes on a whole new meaning. We know that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. Jesus is the sacrifice. We are told in the word of God to” walk in love, as Christ has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God”. You may not know this but Jesus declared Himself that He is the sacrifice. Look at the word of God. “ therefore when He {Jesus Christ} came into the world, He said: Sacrifice and offering You {God} did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices You had no pleasure. Then I said, Behold, I come to do your will O God.” Since Jesus is my sacrifice, He is the substitute payment for my sins. So my sacrifice should identify with Christ, but it cannot point to Christ for the sacrifice is made already. Unlike the sons of Eli, I respect God’s sacrifice.
God’s sacrifice was His best {the death of His Son}. Is my sacrifice the best that I can offer. Does it identify with Christ. If it is my best, then it identifies with Christ. I am told in the word that “ To love the lord my God with all my heart, soul, and body, my neighbor as myself is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices that can be offered.” I am to present my body a living sacrifice holy unto God” Am I living the best that I can live? Or am I rebellious and riotous. Paul told the church at Philippi that their financial offering was a sacrifice to God. Does your sacrificial giving to the work of God identify with Christ, is it your best? Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Let us do it from our best heart.
Bernard A. Jones
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Very interesting thoughts here. I really liked how you showed the sacrifice from each Testament--it helped me understand better. Thanks.
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