Is My Sacrifice Alive?

Jan 8, 2021 at 6:06 AM

They arrived at the place God had told him about; Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. (Genesis 22:9, NIV)

Although Oswald Chambers says at the beginning, “This event (Abraham sacrificing Isaac) reflects our mistake of thinking that God’s ultimate demand is for a dead sacrifice,” I believe Abraham’s understanding of God’s requirement was not mistaken. God asked him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, and he followed through completely.

Though it was Isaac who was offered, for Abraham it was his life he was giving up, because Isaac was his only son, the one inheriting God’s promise to Abraham.

God was pleased and accepted Abraham’s “offering of life” faith, providing a ram to take Isaac’s place as a sacrifice.

But the corruption of human hearts has turned the focus on the act of sacrifice and the items offered, without the mindset that God is pleased with—“offering up life.” Psalm 51:16-17 says, “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1, NIV)

What God demands and is pleased with from me is not dead sacrifices or things I temporarily own, but my life itself, offering myself as a living sacrifice to Him. If I can offer myself like this, then offering other “external things” comes naturally.

I’ve consistently tithed, but often it’s with a “fear of God” mindset (afraid of punishment), rather than a simple wish to “give to God.” It’s a “tax-paying” mentality, still seeing myself as the owner of the wealth, “God’s stuff for God, the rest for me.” When I read Matthew 19 about Jesus telling the rich young man, “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me,” I feel troubled, like that young man who “went away sad.”

I’m thankful that from the end of 2020 to now, I’ve changed slightly. In my prayers, I’m more willing to offer myself and all I have. I think this is the Holy Spirit working in my heart.

God wants me to let go of what’s “not eternal,” “offering life as a living sacrifice,” to gain what is eternal, that is, resurrection life with Jesus Christ, eternal life. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Brother Chambers reminds us, “We seem to think God always wants us to forsake everything… He wants you as a living sacrifice, offering all the wisdom and strength gained through faith in Jesus.”

In the past (two or three years ago), I often fell into the wrong mindset, seeing work outside of church service as meaningless, believing stubbornly that only direct service work was meaningful.

After reading some books (like ‘The Purpose of Work’), my perspective changed a lot. Now, especially after today’s devotion, it’s much clearer that if I want to serve the church, I don’t have to discard over a decade of design skills to choose another professional path of service (Of course, I don’t necessarily have to directly serve the church with design skills. But if I’m very willing to serve the church, why not?). God’s past guidance, the honing of my career and skills, wasn’t in vain. I’m willing to “offer life,” to offer professional skills with this mindset.

Thank God for:

1. Yesterday morning, I had an honest, in-depth conversation with an older XJK brother. He set a great example and testimony, offering me great advice and encouragement for “the second half of life.”
2. Anran complained of a stomachache around noon, almost lasting two days. Yanbing and I quickly took him to the hospital. There was worry on the way (since we’ve often heard about critically ill children), and I prayed while driving (eventually finding some faith to completely entrust him). After hospital checks, he was healthy. Thank God! (I believe it’s God’s protection)
3. Having more and more conversations with my wife, Yanbing.