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| Beliefs - Bible Studies Better Than Sacrifice |
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Sacrifice.
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.
Today, when we think of sacrifice, we think not of bullocks and sheep on an
altar, but rather we think of service to God and to others. We look, as Paul did
here, at the giving of money or the supplying of needs or even the donation of
time as sacrifice. It is well that we do, for so is it. Sacrifice has a totally different
face in today’s Church than what it carried in the Old Testament. After all, when
Christ died for our sins, the payment that sacrifice was to go towards was taken
care of. The sacrifice paid only the interest and the principle was never touched
till Christ died. He became the complete and final sacrifice for sin when God
called due the note that loomed over mankind.
So today, having accepted Christ payment for sin, we sacrifice not to cover but
rather to build. We sacrifice or give that others might be encouraged and
strengthened. We give that others might grow in His grace and knowledge. We
give that others through our giving might receive Christ as their sacrifice and full
payment for sin. But, is there something more important than sacrifice? After all,
considering the reason for sacrifice, it is important.
The fact is that there is something more important, but it does not mean that we
do not sacrifice. On the contrary, it demands us to sacrifice, but that we should
do so with right motive, not to make up for what we should be doing besides.
Obedience.
1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings
and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better
than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
You know the story, Saul by order of God through His servant Samuel, was to
destroy a people completely and not only the people but all they possessed was
to be destroyed also. But, Saul being wiser than God, or so he thought, kept
back the finer things under the guise of sacrifice. (Word of note, true sacrifice
would of destroyed the entirety of what God said to, and not saved that, which
pleased self.) For this reason Samuel confronted Saul, as to the reason for the
spoil of war. Saul’s defense was sacrifice, but what he sacrificed was his
relationship with God. God seeks obedience in His people, and sacrifice does
not satisfy for the lack thereof. It is great to help someone in need, but it is far
greater to obey God in all in says that we should do.
Thanksgiving.
Psalms 69:30-31 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him
with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock
that hath horns and hoofs.
There is another thing that is better than sacrifice, and that is thanksgiving.
Often times, sacrifice has association to appeasement of God or a god. Our
God does not need to be appeased; Christ has made appeasement for our sins.
Our God needs praise. The purpose behind creation was voluntary worship of
God, as is that aspect of a free will that man should come to God and worship
Him with praise of thanksgiving of his own desire. Even in the Law was the
sacrifice of thanksgiving set up to be voluntary. (Lev 22:29 “And when ye will
offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.”) God
does not want man to sacrifice out of a heart of fear, but He wants us to come to
Him praising His name glorifying His work and lifting His name above all names.
This is to be done because man sees God as Saviour, provider, guide, and
friend and ever present help. He desires us to follow Him out of love and
adoration; fear is only a part in respect to reverence of His awesome
Sovereignty over all the known and unknown. And the knowledge of this too
should flow from our lips in praise.
- Jonathan Baker
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.
Today, when we think of sacrifice, we think not of bullocks and sheep on an
altar, but rather we think of service to God and to others. We look, as Paul did
here, at the giving of money or the supplying of needs or even the donation of
time as sacrifice. It is well that we do, for so is it. Sacrifice has a totally different
face in today’s Church than what it carried in the Old Testament. After all, when
Christ died for our sins, the payment that sacrifice was to go towards was taken
care of. The sacrifice paid only the interest and the principle was never touched
till Christ died. He became the complete and final sacrifice for sin when God
called due the note that loomed over mankind.
So today, having accepted Christ payment for sin, we sacrifice not to cover but
rather to build. We sacrifice or give that others might be encouraged and
strengthened. We give that others might grow in His grace and knowledge. We
give that others through our giving might receive Christ as their sacrifice and full
payment for sin. But, is there something more important than sacrifice? After all,
considering the reason for sacrifice, it is important.
The fact is that there is something more important, but it does not mean that we
do not sacrifice. On the contrary, it demands us to sacrifice, but that we should
do so with right motive, not to make up for what we should be doing besides.
Obedience.
1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings
and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better
than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
You know the story, Saul by order of God through His servant Samuel, was to
destroy a people completely and not only the people but all they possessed was
to be destroyed also. But, Saul being wiser than God, or so he thought, kept
back the finer things under the guise of sacrifice. (Word of note, true sacrifice
would of destroyed the entirety of what God said to, and not saved that, which
pleased self.) For this reason Samuel confronted Saul, as to the reason for the
spoil of war. Saul’s defense was sacrifice, but what he sacrificed was his
relationship with God. God seeks obedience in His people, and sacrifice does
not satisfy for the lack thereof. It is great to help someone in need, but it is far
greater to obey God in all in says that we should do.
Thanksgiving.
Psalms 69:30-31 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him
with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock
that hath horns and hoofs.
There is another thing that is better than sacrifice, and that is thanksgiving.
Often times, sacrifice has association to appeasement of God or a god. Our
God does not need to be appeased; Christ has made appeasement for our sins.
Our God needs praise. The purpose behind creation was voluntary worship of
God, as is that aspect of a free will that man should come to God and worship
Him with praise of thanksgiving of his own desire. Even in the Law was the
sacrifice of thanksgiving set up to be voluntary. (Lev 22:29 “And when ye will
offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.”) God
does not want man to sacrifice out of a heart of fear, but He wants us to come to
Him praising His name glorifying His work and lifting His name above all names.
This is to be done because man sees God as Saviour, provider, guide, and
friend and ever present help. He desires us to follow Him out of love and
adoration; fear is only a part in respect to reverence of His awesome
Sovereignty over all the known and unknown. And the knowledge of this too
should flow from our lips in praise.
- Jonathan Baker