JOHN SHIRK – One definition of sacrifice is to offer to God something precious. Another definition is the surrender or destruction of something desirable for the sake of something higher.

In the Old Testament of the Bible, it was customary to offer animal sacrifices to God. The animal became a substitute to suffer the wrath or punishment of the sins of a person. However, their sacrifice was not enough to forgive anyone’s sin.  Animal sacrifices were a sign of things to come, when Jesus would lay down His life for the sake of our sins. Speaking of Jesus, Hebrews 7:27 says, “He sacrificed for their sins, once and for all when he offered himself.”

What is our response to this great outpouring of God’s love for us? Romans 12:1 says, “In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.”  The picture of the Gospel is a view of God’s people, dying to their sinful natures, and coming alive to God’s purposes.  Various Christians will make sacrifices in different degrees, but all Christians will have some type of cross to carry, surrendering selfish ambitions for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Sacrifice is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com