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AN ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE
SATURDAY, JULY 16
Philippians 2:17-18

Romans 12:1-2

 

God’s Word

cleanses the soul.

 

AN ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE
 
The entire life of the Lord Jesus Christ had as its purpose service to others. He came to give Himself a ransom for sinners (Matt 20:28). In His earthly ministry He subjected Himself completely to the will of the Father.
 
Since our Saviour lived for others with no thought for Himself, we should live with this same outlook. For this reason, the Apostle Paul was joyfully sacrificing his life for the cause of the Church. In this portion, the Old Testament temple sacrifices are used as an illustration of how the Christians should live as a sacrifice for the cause of the Gospel.
 
In the Old Testament, the drink offering was poured out over and around the sacrificial lamb (Lev 23:18). The Apostle saw these offerings as a picture of the Christian life being offered in the service of the Church. The lives of all believers who truly serve the Lord are being slowly poured out on the altar of Christian sacrifice (Phil 2:17; 2 Tim 4:6). Paul’s fellowship in the gospel with the Philippian believers was to him an offering to the Lord. We too, as Christians, should practise sacrificial living which brings to the world a stirring testimony to the truth of the Gospel.
 
Such sacrificial living brings great joy and satisfaction into the life of a child of God (Phil 2:17b-18). We are reminded that the burdens of life are never more than we can bear. Service to the Lord brings satisfaction to the Christian’s heart (Matt 11:28-30). As the world struggles for personal gain and security, the Christian can find rest and contentment in serving the Lord. The world labours for that which perishes, but we labour for an inheritance that has eternal value (Col 3:23-24). May we labour faithfully, serving in our local church and witnessing in our daily life, and may we know the full joy of Christian service.
 
THOUGHT: Why can the Christian be joyful in service?
PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for full joy and satisfaction as I dedicate myself to serving Thee.

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