Tag Archives: Sacrifice of thanksgiving

Living sacrifice

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The concept of sacrifice is common to all religions of the world. Some make offerings of food before lifeless images and altars. Others strive to live by higher personal standards that might bid them well in the next life. Still others lend themselves to an endless list of good-deed-doing in vain attempt to shift the balance between the good and the bad they have done.  Even apologies serve as a form of sacrifice. It appears to be a universal truth that man needs to make amends for wrongs. Despite the claim of the 1970 movie “Love Story,” apparently, love means you ALWAYS need to say you’re sorry.

 

In Old Testament times, sacrifices were commonly made through the offering of animals. Only the high priests were allowed to enter the inner room of the tabernacle to bring the blood sacrifice for himself and the sins of the people, even those committed in ignorance. (Hebrews 9:7)  The Holy Spirit had not yet been revealed, leaving the people to try to clear their consciences before God by bringing gifts and sacrifices of food and drink and ceremonial behaviors.   (v 9-10)

 

We all can understand the need to clear our consciences before God, but no sacrifice was sufficient. A perfect sacrifice, which we could never offer, was required. Christ, the perfect sacrifice, had to become the mediator of the new covenant for us. (v 15) And unlike the sacrifices of old which had to be made over and over, Jesus made one perfect sacrifice for us.  “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (v 27-28)

 

Today we make sacrifices of money, time, self-denial, and service. But they are not what God most desires. Speaking of His Father God, Jesus said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” (Hebrews 10:8-9) 

 

And how do we best accomplish His will? What kind of sacrifice would demonstrate our desire to do His will? “I will sacrifice a thank offering and call upon the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 116:17, )  “Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” (Hebrews 13:15) THIS is the sacrifice that God most desires and that satisfies both Him and us: a LIVING sacrifice of thankful and praising hearts. Certainly, the motives of a thankful and praising heart yields its will to good works, self-denial, and the service of others. But these are the outcomes of true sacrifice, not the sacrifice itself.

 

How many times can you discover today to offer God your thanks and your praise? Be a living sacrifice of thanks and praise!

What gift would you bring first?

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Imagine I came to visit you first thing in the morning and as soon as I arrive I present you with a list of demands for the day. How would you respond to such an ungrateful guest? I would not blame you for considering me quite rude, selfish, and inconsiderate.

 

But what gift do we typically bring to our gracious God as we rise each day? Our great plans for the day? Or maybe a list of to-do’s for Him to work on while we tackle our own agenda? What about asking Him for wisdom, courage and strength? That would be a good one, but one thing even better or at least first is this:

 

Bring the sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise. 

 

‘Thank you for greeting me this morning, Lord. Thank you for allowing me to come into your presence. Thank you for who you are – your unfailing love, your mercy, your wisdom, your power. (How many more attributes can you list?) Thank you for how you have been patient with me and how you have protected me.’

 

It’s fine to ask God for His watch care and blessing on others and to bring your own personal requests to Him. He invites you! But first, bring the sacrifice of thanksgiving and linger on that topic for a while. Be silent before Him and ponder His greatness.

 

More than your efforts to do good, more than your money, more than nearly everything else you can imagine, the Creator of the universe desires to spend time with you and your thankful heart, Just like you like to spend time with thankful people. We shouldn’t be surprised. He made us in His own image.  Begin the day with thanks and you may find the rest of the day follows that pattern.

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
    and tell of his works with songs of joy.” Psalm 107:21-22

 

 

Enjoying love

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What if on Valentines Day a husband came to his wife and gave her a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates? That sounds pretty nice. And what if his wife thanked him profusely for the thoughtful gifts. Then what if the husband responded, “Oh don’t think anything of it. It is my duty to give you these tokens of appreciation. I do it because I am supposed to do it.” (Yikes, is there a way to hit reverse in this story?!) How would you feel if a gift was presented in this way? Probably not very honored or loved.

Let’s hit rewind and consider a different and heartfelt response to his wife:
“It makes me glad to bring you things. In fact, it brings me more delight to spend this night with you than anyone I might. I cannot think of a way I’d rather spend this day than satisfying my desire with one I so much admire. It gladdens me to be with you. I will magnify you by making you the joy of my life.”
(From John Piper, Desiring God)

It is not that duty is wrong. In fact it is a virtue to behold. But loving out of duty is not the greatest expression of love. Loving because there is nothing else which you find more satisfying, now that is love.

Now imagine that instead of man and wife, the scenario is between you and God. “God, look at my good deeds that I do for you. Consider my gifts to the church. Watch how my life is one of service to you, because it is my duty to serve you.” Maybe that doesn’t sound too bad to you, because we have been raised, many of us, to think of our spiritual life as one of service and duty. And it is, but only because this stems from a greater enjoyment of spending time with God, being more satisfied when in his presence than anything else on earth. I think God is as pleased with such an expression of love as you are when a child comes to you simply because they enjoy your company.

Enjoy God. Be fully satisfied in him and celebrate such great love.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1