A Sacrificial Heart

Dear Beloved in Jesus,

Sacrifice is one element of the Christian life which is not talked about nor preached on much anymore.  It is not mentioned in Gospel presentations as we seek to share the love of Jesus with people.  The love of Jesus is a blessed truth but His love without His sacrifice would be meaningless, and love without repentance does not lead one to salvation.  A sinner sacrifices their old life for a new one in Jesus.  So, the Christian life is a life of sacrifice beginning with Jesus and continuing with one’s repentant heart.  In fact, every believer is saved to become a priest to God offering up sacrifices of worship.

“As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:4-5

A sacrifice is the giving up of something of precious value.  It is given in an act of reverence and worship to someone who is worthy of the gift.  So, each believer as a priest to God who offers up sacrifices to Him must have something to give which is close to their heart.

“For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer.” Hebrews 8:3

Jesus was our ultimate, complete, perfect sacrifice.  By His shed blood He secured forgiveness and peace with God.  By His sacrifice those who believe in Him are pardoned from the wrath of God which is coming against our sin of disbelief and disobedience.  But believers are also called to sacrifice, giving up their live for a life rooted in Jesus.  Jesus desires our heart, our life.  It is only when we acknowledge our great need and utter helplessness that we have a heart prepared to offer Him.  This is a heart which He accepts.

“For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:16-17

In a society in which it is all about me, Christianity is all about Jesus and others as we consider others more important than ourselves.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

In our world humility of heart is not a valued virtue but a sign of weakness.  But in God’s economy humility is highly valued.  It pleases the Lord and He delights in the humble of heart. 

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” 1 Peter 3:8

In considering this doctrine of a sacrificial life we come to understand that one of the foundations of the Christian life is a humble heart.  Without it a person will never experience Yahweh’s loving salvation with all the benefits of a Christian’s changed life.  A humble heart is necessary for the filling of a person by the Spirit of Jesus and in seeking and obtaining answered prayer.

So, we see that a humble heart is a sacrificing heart.  It is not concerned with itself, but with loving others.  A sacrificial heart is one which pleases Yahweh much more than the things we do.

“And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Mark 12:33

The heart represents the life and deep desires of a person.  The Christian’s heart focuses on Jesus who is not interested in our ‘dead works’ nor the literal giving of our life.  Jesus is interested in His followers living and abiding in His Spirit.  We find our daily existence in Him as we acknowledge Him as the source of everything that pertains to our life.  As believers sacrificially live out each day for Jesus the calling to be light and salt is fulfilled in His followers.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

When our hearts are humble and pleasing to the Lord, then we have no problem in making sacrifices for Jesus and His Kingdom.  We realize that not only is life all about Him, but it is also all for Him.  As believers surrender their lives to Him in sacrificial love testifying praise comes easy and often.  Our praise once voiced ascends to the Lord like the aroma of a holy sacrifice.  Our praise becomes pleasing to our awesome God.

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.  Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrews 113:15-16

But a believer’s sacrifice is not only verbal but active.  Our sacrificial love for Jesus flows over into a sacrificial love for others.  Believers will just naturally find themselves busy helping those who are in need.  We are moved to correct injustice on all levels.  We are moved to reach out to the hurting and hopeless.  This lifestyle is one which pleases the Lord.

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” Isaiah 58:6-7

If believers are not praising Jesus at every turn, if they are not reaching out to those in need, then they are not living in sacrificial love for Jesus.

Let’s allow our joy in Jesus to flow from our lips in praise for He is so good.  Let’s allow our life to reflect His sacrificial love for us through our sacrificial love for others.  Herein we are richly blessed.

For Jesus’ Kingdom,

Bro. Hugh Folds

Romans 14:17