This week, the news reported another prominent “conservative” politician has shown their true colors. She is actually from the state I reside in now. A majority of the state doesn’t support her and wonders how her constituents still do after how she acts. Time and again her actions prove she isn’t a conservative.

Has no self-control and is impulsive
Has twisted spiritual beliefs
Is more focused on earthly greatness and what she wants

A few years ago I interviewed a 94-year-old great-grandmother about the sacrifices she made for her family. Her first response was that she was a Baptist and they don’t believe in sacrifices.

After I restated my question about what she has given up for her family, she quickly clarified that what she did for her family was out of love. She said, “That is what you do for people you love.”

Love is the premise for sacrifice; we are willing to sacrifice for whoever or whatever we love. Sacrifice is a form of love!

Sacrifice?

Jesus told His followers that unless they deny themselves daily (sacrifice) they couldn’t be one of His disciples (Matthew 16:24, Luke 14:27). If we really love Jesus, we will be willing to make sacrifices to follow Him.

Back in Jesus’ day, there was a hedonistic society; the culture lived for self-pleasure, even sensual pleasure. But, Jesus told His followers to deny themselves their selfish wants. Jesus said the greatest command was to love others and God more than we love ourselves (Matthew 22:26- 24).

After his transformation, the Apostle Paul also urged the church to put the needs of others before themselves (Philippians 2:3- 11) and to offer themselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12;1-4).

Let It Go!

The Apostle Paul was writing to a Jewish audience who understood the significance of sacrifice (Qorbanot)—to draw near to God. Sacrifice was all about communing with God. In Judaism there are many kinds of religious sacrifices:

Olah(burnt offering) represented submission to God’s will)
Zebach Sh’lamim: Peace Offering to gain God’s mercies and blessings.
Chatat: Sin 0ffering to reconcile them to God.
Asham: Guilt offering to atone for stealing from the altar.
Minchah: the devotion of the fruits of man’s work to God.
Parah Adumah: The Red Heifer purifies people from the defilement caused by contact with the dead.

It is interesting to note that only two of the sacrifices dealt with sin, most sacrifices are sacrifices of Thanksgiving and devotion to God. Remember God’s people are called to be different from the world and surrendered to God’s ways.

When we give up, we are surrendering ourselves to God. This act of humility shows what we love the most. Sacrifice is humbling.

Humbled?

When Jesus came He refused to use His power and position to His advantage. He willingly chose to lay down His life for us. Our Lord humbled Himself to show us how to love.

It takes more power not to use the power one has. Jesus offered Himself as the sin offering for humanity. As believers, we don’t sacrifice to be saved, we sacrifice because we are saved—our sacrifices are thank offerings to God.

We are never bolder like Christ than when we humble ourselves and put others before our selfish desires. Five of the seven deadly sins focus on self.

Lust
Gluttony
Greed
Envy
Pride

The Pride of this life has blinded many men and women. Jesus told His disciple they would do everything He was doing and even greater (John 14:12)! Jesus was humbling Himself by becoming a sacrifice for all who believe.