Living Sacrifices
Several weeks ago now we did the memorial service for Peggy’s step-mother, Ruth. Ruth has seen declining years with alzhimers disease, the last couple of years in a care facility. In her final days several body systems began to shut down until finally one day, with Peggy, her Dad Bill, and sister Lisa with her Ruth just slipped quietly away from this life. While the death of a loved one is never totally easy, Ruth knew Christ and it brings joy and hope to know that she is free from pain and sickness with the Lord.
These kinds of times give everyone a chance to pause and think about life and death. And we draw comfort from knowing there is hope in eternity if, and when, we know Christ. I was drawn back to a familiar passage of Scripture in the midst of all this experience. I was reminded of these verses: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes–I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27, NIV).
Man, what powerful words! To know that Christ lives and that one day he will stand totally victorious on this earth. No matter if I am still alive to see his coming, or join Ruth before that in his presence. He is coming! And my heart does long for that day! There is another couple of people I want to see come to Christ first, but it will be a wonderful day when he comes.
But, my mind quickly turns from those thoughts to ask myself, “So, that is all good, but what about today?” There is life to be lived until that day comes, and we all need to consider what we are doing with this life that we have until the end comes. And that brings me to what is really on my heart for now.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:2, NIV)
Have you ever seriously considered what it means to “offer your body as a living sacrifice”? I have been reminded of that again as I was preparing to lead a Wednesday Bible study at our church.
Remember when God asked Abraham to offer his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering (Genesis 22)? Seriously, to put his only son on an altar, kill him and burn him up! Initially, every time I read those verses I want to say “What in the world was God thinking?!” But, on this side of the story, we know that God had a plan. He was testing Abraham to see if he would obey him – no matter what the cost. You know the story, Abraham did obey and God rescued Isaac and rewarded him by keeping his promise to bless all nations through him.
And, it is not just a story about Abraham, it is also a story about Isaac. Isaac was young and strong, while Abraham was advanced in years. Surely Isaac could have struggled and gotten away from dad, and run off to avoid the altar. I am convinced that there must have been some significant level of compliance on young Isaac’s part – maybe even offering himself to be tied up, even climbing up on the altar. If so, that was an expression of faith in both his father and God.
But… what about US? We read and believe stories like Abraham and Isaac, and all the other stories of people like Ruth, Paul, Peter, Barnabas, and how they persevered, trusted and God worked. But, how much do we believe God wants to, and still can, ask “living sacrifice” from us as well? Man, that is a hard question, and a hard thing to consider. And the questions start flooding my mind and heart…
What if God wants something from me that I really love and don’t really want to give up? What if God wants to take that something, or even worse someone, from me? What of my life, health, family, money, possessions, position, property am I really willing to lay on an altar and give to God to do with whatever he chooses? How much do I really believe that I can trust that no matter what God does, or what he asks of me, he will be faithful to fill any void that it leaves with faith, comfort and satisfaction?
But, that is what “sacrifice” is all about! It is not a sacrifice if it is easy to do. The point of Paul’s words is that we need to lay down everything for him. And, that is what real “worship” really is! It is letting go of life – all of it. It is surrendering comfort and pleasure if necessary to follow the Lord. And, watch this, it is “holy” and it is “pleasing” to God. In other words, God accepts whatever that offering is, whatever it is that we sacrifice, as special and reverent worship.
And, in makes him smile!
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