APP: God’s view of sacrifice is different from a short-term loss in return for a greater gain—like a batter does in a baseball game when he hits a sacrifice bunt. And things have changed in a big way from biblical times when animals were sacrificed as an act of worship to please God. Even by performing selfless good deeds for others, you are missing the real point of how God views sacrifice. His desire for you is to be a living sacrifice. God wants you to offer yourself to Him, not animals. It’s about obedience more than practicing some religious ritual or tradition. And sacrifice is not just giving up something you would rather keep. Being a living sacrifice is laying aside our desires each day in order to follow God. We hand over all of our energy and resources for Him to use as He pleases, trusting that He’ll guide us. What gives God the right to ask for this kind of sacrifice from you and me? Because of the ultimate sacrifice He made on our behalf when His only Son, Jesus, died our death and paid our sin debt on the cross. It’s gratitude that our sins have been forgiven that motivates us to daily surrender our lives.
Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.
HEBREWS 13:15 NLT
This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son [Jesus] as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
1 JOHN 4:10 NLT
He [Jesus] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 JOHN 2:2 NIV
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
EPHESIANS 5:1–2 NIV
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
HEBREWS 13:16 NIV