LIVING AND HOLY SACRIFICES

          Unlike animals who were killed before being were placed on the altar, God now charges His people to be living sacrifices (Ro.12:1).  Beyond just obedience, our response is motivated by the mercies of God.  God’s abundant grace, seen preeminently in the giving of His Son, drives us to offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name (Heb.13:15).  It is a sober reflection on the riches of His kind-ness and forbearance and patience (Rom.2:4) that leads us to "the altar" to present our bodies as a living an holy sacrifice, acceptable to God.   

          What is involved in being a living sacrifice and how does such a concept display itself in our lives?  First we must give back to God.  Our gifts of time, energy and money must not be an afterthought.  After sinning by numbering the people (a euphemism for gloating on military strength), the prophet Gad directed King David to, "go up, erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite" (2Sam.24:18).  Araunah was honored to share in this event with David, freely offering his threshing floor, and additionally, the wood and the oxen.  But David refused his gift saying, No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing (2Sam.24:24).  Secondly, we must give with gratitude and with a cheerful heart - - for God loves a cheerful giver (2Cor.9:7).  Thirdly, we must give generously - - not of our leftovers, but of our first-fruits (Lk.19:8f).  Fourthly, we must give our best.  The story is told of a hog and a hen who went for a walk together early one morning.  As they strolled around town they noticed a church providing  "help for the needy".  Miss Hen was touched and spoke up saying, "Let's give them ham and eggs for breakfast."  Mr. Hog thought for a moment and said, “That’s okay for you.  For you its only a little con-tribution, but for me its total commitment.”  It’s an amusing Aesoph-like, make-believe fable, but it is accompanied by a real-life barb.

          I fear that some are too much like Miss Hen - - we are willing to sacrifice…but ONLY A LITTLE.  The truth is “just a little” doesn't really qualify as a sacrifice.  The dictionary defines a sacrifice as:  the forfeiture of something highly valued.  What a privilege it is to be a living sacrifice. 

                                                  Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ