Sacrifice

Sacrifice

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

When I think of sacrifice, usually one of the first things I think of is Jesus. Of course, Jesus made the greatest sacrifice of all time: He gave his life for us.

God calls us to make sacrifices for Him and his teachings too. There are all kinds of sacrifices we can make for Jesus. He calls us to different sacrifices according to what his plans are for us and what gifts he's given us. I know for me, if I think of sacrifices I think of money (tithing) and time (serving). Those are great ways to give to God, but there are many ways that God calls us to sacrifice! Romans 12:6-8 gives great examples. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Sacrificing can also be sacrificing a bit of social status and standing up for someone. Sometimes doing the right thing is a sacrifice! It's not always the traditional way of giving. Romans 14:17-18 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

Don't be too intimidated! God can call people to give great sacrifices, but He will always work you up to them by giving little challenges and getting bigger. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No test has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear. But when you are tested, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

One of the best things about sacrificing for Christ, even if it's in the tiniest way, is it makes you feel so great and so close to God!

A few people who have inspired me with their huge sacrifices are:

Jesus Christ - He died for us!

Mother Theresa - She gave everything she had for others and helped people in India who needed it.

Joan of Arc - God told her to lead the French into battle and she gave her life doing that.

Apostle Paul - He dedicated his life to Christ no matter what.

Moses - Left all he had and risked his life standing up to Pharaoh in Egypt.

Notes:

Ecclesiastes 8:7-8 Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come? No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death. Trust in the Lord! When He asks us to do something, we have to trust Him that it is the right step.

God protects you when you sacrifice and work for Him. Psalm 91:14-15 "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." My Youth Group teacher was on a mission trip building a house. She was holding up a piece of wood, and someone else was on the other side and driving a nail in it. She didn't know and had her head resting on the wood. The nail should have gone right into her temple, with the sharp side first. But by the will of God, the nail inside the wood flipped around and the dull side hit her and she was fine. If the point would have gone into her temple it would have killed her. God protected her that day!