AN ACT OF SACRIFICE PART 2

AN ACT OF SACRIFICE PART 2

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and unto his offering:

Earlier in this week’s publication, we are made to understand the concept of Sacrifice and its importance in our daily life. A life given to Sacrifice is one worthy and acceptable unto God. We saw this in the lives of our biblical patriarchs; Abraham was a man given to a life of sacrifice. Job too was a man who lived his life sacrificially. He had the understanding of the secret to a blessed life. Let us see an account of Job in Job 29 paraphrased; “as I was in the days of my youth when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle…”, then he began to make a list-he delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, he was eye to the blind, feet to the lame and so on-all sacrifice. And we see why God blessed him, the Bible says in Job 1; he was the greatest of all the men of the east. All because of a life sold out to God through Sacrifice. We see here Job gave unto other men like himself, and it was counted to him for great blessings. This emphasizes Matthew 25:44-46 paraphrased; when did you see me that you clothe me or when did you see me that you gave me bread, inasmuch as ye have done these to him that is least among you, then you have done it to me. So, this tells us that even God is in support of a life of Sacrifice. 

*What then is the nature of Sacrifice?*

Sacrifice is love: Jesus loved us to the extent that he was ready to give himself for us. Before we can give in to sacrifice, then there must be a place for love in us. Let us bring this to the natural realm, it’s a man’s love for his job that makes him sacrifice time and energy towards it. You love your job so important to give up certain things for it. It’s a student’s love for success that makes him sow his leisure time just to study and come out in flying colours. So at every point in our lives, there is a sacrifice we are paying for the things we love, or the people we love.

Sacrifice is giving: In Sacrifice, there is always something we are giving. We see this in the pilot verse, together with love, there was giving. (John 3:16-For God so loved the world that he gave). You cannot claim to sacrifice without something leaving you to another person or another thing.

Sacrifice is understanding and enduring: We need to understand that in Sacrifice, we first need to understand why it is we offer whatever we offer, who we offer it to and also endure the offering. At certain times, it might be so burdensome but you just have to endure it. There is patience also in Sacrifice and many others…

 One thing I have come to realize is that, most times when we are giving to sacrifice, there is a greater good waiting in the corner (Proverbs 11:24-25 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. A liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself). Jesus gave himself up for mankind and we see in Revelations 5:12-worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing).  Abraham obtained the promises, an inheritance that still speaks even today (Genesis 22:18).

*Sacrifice is sowing into the grounds. And as the seeds are sown, there will always be a reward.*

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