Seven Words That The Flesh Hates 3 - SACRIFICE

Today I will talk about the word SACRIFICE. What exactly does it mean? It means 'give up (something valued) for the sake of other considerations.' It is both a noun and a verb which means the object given up during the act of sacrifice is also called sacrifice. We are grateful to God for the sacrifice Jesus on the cross of Calvary. The Bible says,

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men."
(Philippians 2:6-7)

Jesus gave up Himself and He is our perfect Example. In Romans 12:1, the Bible says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." We are to present our bodies as living sacrifices. What exactly does that mean? It obviously does not mean giving ourselves up as some animal offering on an altar of sacrifice as was the case in the Old Testament days when animals were offered as sin offering. The example of Jesus gives us a clue as to what is required. 

Jesus, the Son of God and God the Son "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing"(Philippians 2: 6-7, NIV). The question arises, what would you give up for the sake of the Kingdom of God? What would you lay down to serve Jesus better? Hear what Jesus said,

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26-27).
Put this alongside Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." and you will get the picture of sacrifice. Is the Kingdom of God and His righteousness uppermost on your list of priorities? What do you live for - your family, career, wealth, education, company, ..... or is God No.1? If He is not the top priority, then sacrifice has not started for you. Sacrifice demands that you will have to give up things that are valuable and for which you are legitimately entitled to. Sacrifice means making yourself nothing for Jesus - letting go and letting God have His way. It might involve giving up your career and your house and moving to a remote location or starting life afresh thousands of miles from where you live. Sacrifice might well involve giving up the conveniences/comforts of this world for discomforts/inconveniences of missions. Sacrifice will involve giving time, money, effort, etc. towards the work of the ministry and the expansion of the Kingdom of God. Are you willing to sacrifice for Jesus? A disciple of Jesus embraces sacrifice as a necessity. He or she knows that just as a serious athlete sacrifices to win the top prize or gold, they have to give up everything that might constitute a hindrance. Some of these things may be legitimate but the disciple of Jesus knows the sticking with the good thing very often deprives us of the best which is what God has in store for us.

A friend of mine usually says 'Not every good thing is a God thing' If you want to be the very best that God created you to be, sacrifice is inevitable and guess what, the flesh hates it. May the good Lord bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you as you receive the Word of the Lord. Have a blessed day.