At one point early in Julius Caesar's political career, feelings ran so high against him that he thought it best to leave Rome. He sailed for the Aegean island of Rhodes, but en route the ship was attacked by pirates and Caesar was captured. The pirates demanded a ransom of 12,000 gold pieces, and Caesar's staff was sent away to arrange the payment.
Caesar spent almost 40 days with his captors, jokingly telling the pirates on several occasions that he would someday capture and crucify them to a man. The kidnappers were greatly amused, but when the ransom was paid and Caesar was freed, the first thing he did was gather a fleet and pursue the pirates. They were captured and crucified ... to a man!
Such was the Romans' attitude toward crucifixion. It was to be reserved for the worst of criminals, a means of showing extreme contempt for the condemned. The suffering and humiliation of a Roman crucifixion were unequaled. Today in the Word, November 23, 1992
Easter is coming soon and I plan to have an article here telling about its significance, but for now I want to tell you about a man who experienced this cruel Roman crucifixion. This man was innocent. In fact, he had never sinned in his whole life.
All of us have sinned. We have all gone our own way instead of God's way. That is why this man, God's own Son, by the name of Jesus came for the purpose of offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. He was the Christ, or Messiah, (God's annointed One) prophesied in the Old Testament of the Bible. The Bible is God's message to mankind.
The prophet Isaiah, about 700 years before Jesus birth, predicted Christ's coming and crucifixion for our sins. Here is what he had to say: "He grew up before him (speaking of Jesus' birth and growth)... Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God ... But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:2-6)
Isaiah continues to talk about the coming of Christ, the perfect Son of God the Father, to take on our sins upon him. Other prophets also predicted this. The New Testament of the Bible provides the teachings and works of Jesus and helps us to understand how we can receive eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:23, in the New Testament of the Bible, says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." "Death" in that verse refers to eternal death in a hell. Those who go to hell after they die will be under the rule of Satan and will burn forever. "Eternal life" in the verse just quoted refers to God's gift to all who follow Christ. This eternal life is received immediately when we turn from our self-directed life to Jesus and follow him.
Eternal life has two phases. The first phase is now, before we go to the grave. This new life that God gives takes on purpose and meaning. We allow God to use us to accomplish his purpose. The second phase begins when we breath our last on earth and go to be with God in a heaven that will never end, and it will never grow old.
Our sins were sending us to hell. God's love led him to send his own precious Son to live a perfect life, qualifying him to be a sacrifice for our sins, since he had no sin of his own. Then as part of God's plan, Jesus was to be crucified on the cross. His sacrifice covers the sins of all who turn from their self-directed, sinful life and let Jesus be in charge.
Jesus was God in man. There is one God, expressed in three Persons -- the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus also took on the human form. He was planted in his mother's (Mary's) womb by the Holy Spirit. In nine months he was born. Though Jesus existes from the beginning of eternity, this was the beginning of his human form. He grew up among people and allowed us to know God more clearly.
As proof that he is God's Son, Jesus came back to life on the third day after his crucifixion. He was on earth another 40 days. Over 500 people saw him on one occasion before he ascended into heaven as people watched.
Jesus, who often referred to himself as the Son of Man, had told his disciples exactly what would happen. On one of those occasions Jesus said, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!" (Matthew 20:18-19)
Now, who crucified Jesus? Some blame the Jews; some blame the Romans or others, but they were only used as God's instruments to accomplish his purpose. We are the guilty ones. Every human being on earth! As Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." It was our sins that sent Jesus to the cross. Because of God's love for us, he provided a way for our salvation. Romans 8:1 says, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
OK, you have a decision to make if you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. There is no better time than right now. God knows your heart and he will save you right where you are, if you will let him.
Prayer is talking to God. If now you are willing to let God take charge of your life, tell him that you are sorry for your sins and are turning from them to let Him direct your life. Tell him that you accept Jesus' sacrifice for your sins and you invite him to come into your life. When you make that turn from self to the Savior, Jesus will, through the Holy Spirit, come to take up residence in your life.
The Holy Spirit will convict you when you do wrong and encourage you in doing right. He will strengthen you to help you grow and mature as a Christian.
You will still make some mistakes. The old person will sometimes want to resurrect itself. But God's forgiveness stands. You will never lose the salvation you have received. Jesus and the Father hold you securely.
If you are making a decision for Christ or need help in doing so, contact me and let me know, so I can rejoice with you or provide additional help.
Take care. God loves you.
-- Don
It was June 18, 1815, the Battle of Waterloo. The French under the command of Napoleon were fighting the Allies (British, Dutch, and Germans) under the command of Wellington. The people of England depended on a system of signals to find out how the battle was going. One of these signal stations was on the tower of Winchester Cathedral.
It is said that late in the day the tower flashed the signal: "W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N- - D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D- -." Just at that moment one of those sudden English fog-clouds made it impossible to read the message. The news of defeat quickly spread throughout the city. The whole countryside was sad and gloomy when they heard the news that their country had lost the war. Suddenly the fog lifted, and the remainder of the message could be read. The message had four words, not two. The complete message was: "W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N- - -D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D- - T-H-E- - -E-N-E-M-Y!" It took only a few minutes for the good news to spread. Sorrow was turned into joy, defeat was turned into victory!
That's how it was when Jesus was laid in the tomb on the first Good Friday afternoon. Hope had died even in the hearts of Jesus' most loyal friends. After the frightful crucifixion the fog of disappointment and misunderstanding had moved in on the friends of Jesus. They had "read" only part of the divine message. "Christ defeated"
On Sunday morning, however, the fog was lifted. The news of victory quickly spread among the disciples and throughout the region. Christ had risen from the grave. He is alive! The angel at the tomb reminded the early visitors that Jesus had told his disciples that this would happen.
In Luke 24:5-8 the angel says, "...'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again."' Then they remembered his words."
Why is all of this so important? It's important for this reason: If Jesus Christ, God's Son had not come to offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins and conquered death, you and I would be doomed to an eternity in hell. Our own sins would have condemned us.
The apostle Paul says in Romans 4:25, "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." In the next chapter Paul says that death came to all because all have sinned, and then a few verses later, in verse 16, Paul says, "The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift [of God] followed many trespasses and brought justification."
How do you receive this gift of God? How do you receive forgiveness for all your sins? How do you pass from eternal condemnation in hell when you die to eternal life in heaven with god? It is by accepting the redemptive work of Jesus, God's Son.
God loves you so much, in spite of your sins, that he sent his only Son to earth to show us how to live, to die on the cross to atone for our sins and to rise from the grave in victory over death that we, too, may have victory over death through him. If you were the only person, he would have done it all just for you.
Here is what you need to do to be saved from eternal condemnation and to eternal life -- a life of meaning and purpose here on earth and, when you leave this earth, an eternity of joy in heaven with a new perfect body. There is no pain and no sorrow there. First, you must believe that Jesus is God's Son and that he died to atone for your sins and that he rose in victory from the grave.
Next, you need to repent of your sins. This involves a recognition that you are a sinful person and, in deep sorrow for your sins, you turn from your sins to God.
Then you must commit your life into God's care, trusting his Son to save you. This involves letting Jesus be the Master of your life. Your purpose is to serve him.
You can accomplish this act of commitment right now by praying (talking) to God and sincerely telling him that you are sorry for your sins and that you now invite Jesus to take charge of your life. Commit to live your life to his glory and honor.
Immediately, his Holy Spirit will come to live within you. He will convict you when you do wrong. He will encourage you in doing right. He will also help you to understand the Scripture and God's will for your life. You receive eternal life the moment you make this commitment and you can never lose it. At death you merely pass from this time and space environment on earth to the wonderful state God has waiting for you.
Some times you will fail miserably, although your sincere desire is to be faithful to God. You do not lose your salvation (the new life in Christ), but you should ask God for forgiveness. He will forgive you.
Although baptism does not save you, it is a step of obedience. Christ commanded his followers to be baptized. This must be by immersion. It is a way to publicly proclaim you are a follower of Christ. The baptism pictures Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Also, it is a picture of your death to the old life and resurrection to live the new life that Christ has given you.
Let me know of your decision so I can share in your new joy. If I can be of help in the decision, or in living the new life, feel free to contact me. Your name does not go on any list. I am the only one who sees it. I will never ask for money and I don't send emails trying to enlist your support in any cause. Your correspondence is confidential. I will respond in a way to address the needs you express for making a decision and for living the Christian life.
May God's blessings be with you and may you bless God.
-- Don
Scott Peck, in his book The Road Less Traveled, tells of an experience of his. He spent much of his ninth summer on a bicycle. About a mile from his house the road went down a steep hill and turned sharply at the bottom. Coasting down the hill one morning, he felt his gaining speed to be ecstatic. To give up this ecstasy by applying brakes seemed an absurd self-punishment. So he decided to simultaneously keep his speed and negotiate the corner. His ecstasy ended seconds later when he was propelled a dozen feet off the road into the woods. He was badly scratched and bleeding, and the front wheel of his new bike was twisted beyond use from its impact against a tree. Scott had been unwilling to suffer the pain of giving up his ecstatic speed in the interest of maintaining his balance around the corner. He learned, however, that the loss of balance was more painful than giving up that which would be required to maintain balance. It was a lesson he continually had to relearn.
We must learn, and often relearn, that to negotiate the curves and corners of our lives, we must continually give up parts of ourselves.
There are many controls placed upon our lives. Past experiences may control your present, but this is not an irrevocable control. One does not have to be imprisoned by his/her past. You can learn and decide to change those things that are not good for you.
The apostle Paul talked about another control upon the Christian life -- the compelling love of Christ. This is a positive control. He talked about the overriding primary control of the life yielded to Christ. Let's read about it.
He said in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (in the Bible), For Christ's Love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
First, Christ's love compels us because we recognize that he died for us. Until we were convinced that Jesus was the Christ and that he died for us, his love had no control over us.
The gentiles, to whom Paul was writing, had not been shown a higher way than their pagan religions until Paul, and perhaps other Christians, took the message of Christ to them. Jesus Christ, God's Son, came to earth to offer himself as a sacrifice for the sins of all people -- people of all races and nationalities, the morally upright and the worst sinner.
Every person who turns from his/her sinful life to a life yielded to the lordship of Jesus Christ will be forgiven and will receive eternal life through that sacrifice of Jesus and his resurrection from the grave. Christ's love controls us, so that we will want to live a life that pleases him.
The love of Christ took hold of Paul's life one day when he was on his way to Damascus with authority to arrest Christians there.
He was very active in the persecution of Christians. However, as he traveled God struck him down and blinded him. A voice from heaven said, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Saul (Paul) asked, Who are you, Lord? and the voice replied, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do. (from Acts 9:4-6). The men who were traveling with Paul were bewildered because they also heard the voice, without understanding it, but did not see anyone.
Paul was given the charge to preach the message of Christ, primarily to the gentiles. He followed the Lord's instructions to go into the city where God restored his sight. The love of Christ controlled Paul, and in the passage we read, he says that Christ's love compels us. It is to control us. Our lives are to be lived in the light of his love.
Those to whom Paul wrote had accepted the gospel of Christ. They were convinced that Christ had died for them. They trusted him as Savior and Lord. Paul was saying, "Now your life is controlled by Christ's love because you are convinced he died for you."
How does the life controlled by Christ's love differ from the one that is not?
The person who is not controlled by Christ's love sees life only in human terms and designs his/her life around self. The answers to problems are found only by human wisdom and actions. Opportunities in life are seen to come only from one's own efforts or perhaps the efforts of others. Actions the person takes, whether right or wrong, are generally based upon one's own perceived benefit.
The person who is controlled by Christ's love sees beyond the human to the divine. In recognizing the great love of God the Father and His desire to redeem all mankind to Himself and the great price He and His Son, Jesus Christ, paid for redemption, that person looks to and honors God with his/her life. Problems are talked over with God and His wisdom is sought. That person will walk and talk with God each day, studying the Scripture so God can speak through His printed word. When relating to others, God's love will flow through such a person. Words and actions will be helpful, not hurtful. The saying, "God first, others second, self third," is a good slogan for the Christian.
Sometimes, to be helpful one must confront a person with words they don't want to hear, but even then it can be done in a caring way. Tom Landry, when he was coaching the Dallas Cowboys, said, "The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don't want to do, in order to achieve what they've always wanted to be.
Paul did not say the love of Christ influences us. He said it controls, or compels, us. All we do or desire to do is subject to re-evaluation in the light of our Christian conscience. In light of this principle, Paul on another occasion said, Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Recognition of the love of God expressed in His forgiveness of our sin should lead us to accept His forgiveness and to give Him our love.
Second, because Christ's love compels us, we have died. We have died? I thought the way of Christ is the way of life. I thought the non-believer was dead. The Bible speaks of his being dead in his sins. But Paul says that we who believe in Christ have died.
How did those die, to whom he was writing? They died to their old paganism and pagan way of life. They died to their attitudes formed by their former way of life. They died to self.
A seed is placed in the ground and dies before it springs forth to new life, beautiful, abundant and productive. We are compelled by the love of Christ. Therefore, we have died to the old life that we may spring forth and grow in the beautiful and abundant life that God offers.
We recognize that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God who was sent into the world to die for us. We believe that he left the perfect residence of heaven and took on human form.
He faced every kind of temptation and overcame them all. He died a sacrificial death, taking on himself our sins. He took our rebellion, our hatred, our lying, our adultery, our idolatry, our greed, our covetousness, our cold heartedness, our selfishness upon himself. He took all of our sins to the cross. And we are compelled by his love.
If you are compelled by Christ's love, you will reach out to others in his name. You will help to meet their felt needs and help them to know the love of Christ also.
Jesus did not stop at the cross. He saw it through the grave to the other side. Jesus was placed in the grave by men but he left it of his own accord. The Father raised him from the dead and he left the grave behind. In doing this, he cleared the way for us. We who have trusted in Christ have died to self and have become alive in Christ and will live forever with him.
Jesus told his disciples, In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:1-3).
We are compelled by Christ's love to live productively for him because we recognize that he died for us. Therefore we have died to self and live in Christ.
Perhaps you have not been living under the compelling love of Christ. That can be changed for you right now. This is the time to die to self and let Christ give you a beautiful, productive and fulfilling life.
If I can be of help in your decision, please go to the E-mail page and write me.
May God's blessings be with you and may you bless God.
-- Don
Not long ago Newsweek magazine reported on what it called the new wave of mountain men. It's estimated that there are some sixty thousand serious mountain climbers in the U.S. But in the upper echelon of serious climbers is a small elite group known as "hard men." For them climbing mountains and scaling sheer rock faces is a way of life. In many cases, climbing is a part of their whole commitment to life. And their ultimate experience is
called "free soloing," climbing with no equipment and no safety ropes.
John Baker is considered by many to be the best of the hard men. He has free-soloed some of the most difficult rock faces in the U.S. with no safety rope and no climbing equipment of any kind. His skill has not come easily. It has been acquired through commitment, dedication and training. His wife says she can't believe his dedication. When John isn't climbing, he's often to be found in his California home hanging by his fingertips to strengthen his arms and hands. - Charles Swindoll, Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, p. 236.
What focus! Determination and focus are necessary to reach the highest goals in life. This is also true of the most important pursuit of life: the pursuit of a vital relationship with God. In the Bible, the Apostle Paul tells us that in order to grow as Christians we must be focused and determined. Salvation is by grace alone through faith, but growth requires that we work with God.
Here is what Paul says in Philippians 3:10-11, I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in His death, and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection of the dead.
The apostle was saying, I want to know Christ in a personal and practical way. I want to experience the power, freedom and joy that are ours when we live in light of the resurrection. I want to have the attitude Jesus had when facing the difficult times of life. I want to know that sense of peace that transcends the world. And I want to live now as a person who attains the resurrection of the dead on this side of the grave.
In the next two verses Paul compares the Christian life to that of an athlete running a race. He gives us some guidelines as to how we can focus on our spiritual growth: He says, Not that I have already obtained all this, or
have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider
myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
We Must Realize God Has Purpose for Our Lives.
Paul says, I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Paul understood that the Lord took hold of his life with a goal, or purpose, in mind. And this is true for all who know Christ.
God's goal is not just to get us in the door. He is not looking to merely save us. He is working to transform us. The Christian is to be moving toward Christ-likeness. He has called us to something. Every person on this planet is a part of his plan. God has a plan for your life and my life. His plan will lead us to joy, fulfillment, contentment and eternal blessing.
I know a lovely couple, Mike and Lori Gates. They built and run a Christian camp for blind children who come for two-week stays. Mike, about 38 years old, was blinded in a hunting accident when he was 12 years old. Both eyes were destroyed. Mike has no regrets. He told me that the Lord gave him a ministry to people who would have fallen through the cracks. God gave him purpose and direction.
We Must Recognize That We Have Not Arrived Yet
Paul not only recognizes that the Lord has a grand purpose for his life, he realizes that he has not fully arrived at that purpose yet. Paul knows he is not all he should be. He is aware of his faults and the areas where he still needs to grow. The word for "perfect" also means "complete". Paul recognizes that he is not finished yet.
God is not finished with you yet. If you are like me, there is plenty of room for growth. When focus is lost, we stray away from all that God wants of us. With focus and dedication, God will make you into the person you could never be in your own strength.
We Must Not Live in the Past
Paul, tells us that if we want to be focused on our growth we must "forget the past". Obviously Paul is not telling us to literally not remember anything. Certainly we should remember who we were before Christ saved us. We should remember the times we have seen God's faithfulness demonstrated. We need to remember the mistakes we've made so that we can avoid them in the future.
When Paul talks about forgetting he is telling us that we cannot and must not live in the past. What happened in the past is past and we must keep going forward.
We Must Be Intentional About Our Growth
Paul tells us that he presses on. It is with intensity that Paul pursues God's plan for his life. Paul also says one thing I do. He is single-minded. Paul was not distracted. He was clear about where he was headed.
Paul tells us that he is stretching forward and he is reaching for his goal. He is not only concentrating, he is straining forward. The image is like that of running in a race. You see people in a race leaning forward to try to beat their opponent to the tape. This is the image Paul uses for his desire to grow spiritually.
Now, how much energy do you put into the Lord's work? The comparison for many of us can be embarrassing. And it should lead us to ask ourselves some heart-searching questions: Why is our service for Christ sometimes
performed in a halfhearted manner? Why do other things come before our time with the Lord? Why do we prepare more diligently for our responsibilities in the world than we do our responsibilities in the church?
We Must Keep Our Eyes on the Goal
Paul said that he must always keep his eyes on the prize. It is like the Olympic athletes who train tirelessly for a gold medal. When they get tired they imagine what it will be like to stand on the platform and hear the National Anthem of their country being played.
So what is the prize that should spur us on? What image should we keep in the forefront of our minds? Maybe I could paint some pictures -- The image of standing before the Father to hear "Well Done!" Having your life reviewed without any sense of regret or shame. Being surrounded by those whose lives have been redeemed partially because of your faithful witness. At your funeral service, having someone say you were consistent and faithful. Or the joy of that first moment when you see Jesus.
Jesus tells us that when we seek first the Kingdom of God, the other things we are concerned about will take care of themselves.
We have been talking about living the Christian life. You cannot earn eternal life by your efforts. That comes only through your trusting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord. Jesus, God in man, came to earth to live the perfect life and offer Himself as a sacrifice for your sins. But to receive God's gift, you must confess your sins and turn to Jesus, allowing Him to take charge of your life.
Now is a good time to do that. You can express this decision to God through a prayer such as the following. Youi can talk to God right where you are. He will hear you.
Dear Father in heaven, thank you for forgiving my sins. Thank
you for taking a sinner like me and giving me eternal life. Thank you for Jesus and His sacrifice for my sins and His victory over the grave so I can look forward to spending eternity with you in heaven. Please give me the courage to be faithful. Teach me the way you want me to live. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
Be sure to tell someone of your decision. That is important. You will be strengthened by it and you may also be helping the other person find God's purpose for his/her life.
Now, you will want to be baptized like Jesus was baptized. Find a church that baptizes by immersion into water. Baptism has no saving power but it is a step of obedience. Jesus commanded it. A Baptist church would be a good choice if available.
If you need help in making this decision, please let me know. If you are making a commitment to trust Jesus as your Savior or other decision relating to your Christian life, I would like to know about it. Just go to the E-mail page and let me know. Your note would be an inspiration to me.
Take care
Don
Would you be willing to give up your career, your aspirations, and a $600,000 annual salary if your family was in need? I know of a man who did.
In 1985 Tim Burke saw his boyhood dream come true the day he was signed to pitch for the Montreal Expos. After four years in the minors, he finally was given a chance to play in the big leagues. And he quickly proved to be worth his salt -- setting a record for the most relief appearances by a rookie player.
Along the way, however, Tim and his wife, Christine, adopted four children with very special needs -- two daughters from South Korea, a handicapped son from Guatemala, and another son from Vietnam. All of the children were born with very serious illnesses or defects. Neither Tim nor Christine was prepared for the tremendous demands such a family would bring. And with the grueling schedule of major-league baseball, Tim was seldom around to help. So in 1993, only three months after signing a $600,000 contract with the Cincinnati Reds, he decided to retire.
When pressed by reporters to explain this unbelievable decision, he simply said, "Baseball is going to do just fine without me. But I'm the only father my children have." Heroes are in short supply these days. Tim and Christine Burke are two of them. -- Dr. James Dobson, Coming Home, Timeless Wisdom for Families, (Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton; 1998), pp. 16-17
I know of another person who made a similar sacrifice. Scott McGreggor was a young starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. In 1983 Baltimore won the World series. Scott helped them get there and helped win the series. When I was a director of missions among Baptist churches in Maryland, we had Scott as a speaker at an associational youth rally. In fact Nora, my wife, has a picture of her and Scott. After the World Series Scott was in a position to demand a huge salary. He gave it up and retired early from baseball. Why? Because God had called him to the pastoral ministry. To Scott, obeying God was more important than anything baseball had to offer.
I would like for us to focus on our sacrifice of love. This article is mostly directed toward Christians. But if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, it will provide insight into what the Christian life is about. Also, there are some special words for you toward the end, to help you know Jesus Christ, God's Son.
The apostle Paul, has some rather startling words in his letter to the church in Rome. In Romans 12:1 (in the Bible) he says, "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 spiritual act of worship." Paul wrote these words about A.D. 57. He was writing to converted Jews and converted pagans. This builds upon the practice of sacrifices among the Jews. They sacrificed animals to God as an act of repentance for their sins. The animal sacrifices pointed to the great one-time sacrifice of Jesus, God's Son, the Lamb of God, for the sins of the world. Animal sacrifices were no longer needed.
But what did Paul mean -- that we are to sacrifice ourselves? Yes, but not in the same sense as the animal sacrifices. This sacrifice is more like the sacrifices of the two ball players mentioned at the beginning of the article. Paul said we are to be living sacrifices.
A man went to the doctor after weeks of symptoms. The doctor examined him carefully, then called the patient's wife into his office. "your husband is suffering from a rare form of amnesia," he said. "Without treatment he will die in a few weeks. The good news is, it can be treated with proper nutrition.
"You will need to get up early every morning and fix your husband a hot breakfast -- pancakes, bacon and eggs, the works. He'll need a home-cooked lunch every day, and then an old-fashioned meat and potatoes dinner every evening. It would be helpful if you could bake frequently. Cakes, pies, homemade bread -- these are the things that will allow your husband to live.
"one more thing. His immune system is weak, so it's important that your home be kept spotless at all times. Do you have any questions?" The wife had none.
"Do you want to break the news or shall I?" asked the doctor.
"I will," she replied.
She walked into the exam room. The husband, sensing the seriousness of his illness, asked her, "It's bad, isn't it?"
She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "What's going to happen to me?" he asked. With a sob, the wife blurted out, "The doctor says you're going to die!" -- Source unknown
I don't think this is the kind of sacrifice Paul had in mind.
In another incident, a knock on the door brought the lady of the house face to face with a man who seemed to be sad. He said, "I am sorry to disturb you, but I am collecting money for an unfortunate family in your neighborhood." He went on with great sympathy, "The husband is out of work, the kids are hungry, the utilities will soon be cut off, and worst of all, they are going to be kicked out of their home if they cannot get the rent money by this afternoon. The woman replied with great concern, "I will be happy to help, but who are you?" He replied, "I am the landlord." -- James SW. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, p.. 371
I don't believe the man had caught the spirit of what Paul was saying.
Paul said that in view of God's mercy on us in delivering us from the eternal penalty of sin and giving us a new life, our lives are to be conducted as sacrifices to Christ.
The word "sacrifice" scares most of us. It seems to imply giving up something -- and it does. It means giving yourself up.
Paul saw this life-filled body as the work of God, created for a divine purpose. It is not a prison, but the temple of the Holy Spirit and is to be respected as such.
To Paul, service (or act of spiritual worship) meant sacrificing and dedicating to man and to God all one has -- the body, mind and soul. It is an all-out consecration to the service and worship of God. It is the offering of everything we have, not as something to be sacrificed on an alter, like a sheep or an ox, but everyday living in honor of God and in helpfulness to others.
A person will have to break with the world to live like that. One cannot just conform to society's rules and ideas. We are to be transformed. Our minds are to be constantly renewed and inspired and uplifted as we grow in Christian character.
In the 3rd and 4th verses of Romans 12, Paul also reminded us that we are all members of one body. Paul saw the Christian church as a single, unified body made up of many members each different from all the others, yet all working together.
The arm, the leg, the eye, and the ear all have their own functions and abilities. In the same way, every member of the church has his/her own abilities and talents and responsibilities to do the work of the church.
In His wisdom God did not make us all alike. Paul gave some examples of our different gifts and abilities. He said, "If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (Rom. 12:6-8). His list is not an exclusive one, but merely examples.
In today's church, there are people who can play the piano. Others sing. Of course, some can't carry a tune. Others are adept at expressing biblical truths and teach. Some have a gracious spirit that inspires us all. There are those who have abundant energy, needed to work with and keep up with the youth. Others have organizational ability. Some of you are good at serving in odd jobs, picking up loose ends, or to type, or do art, or drive an automobile. Some have special strength in a prayer ministry. The point is we are all different. By being different we can compliment one another so that the whole ministry of the church in every part of our world can be accomplished.
What talents and interests has God given you? As a member of the body, be sure to perform your function faithfully.
Then, Paul says that our ministry must be sincere (verse 9-10). Paul lays down his rules for all who are members of the church and God's Kingdom. The Christian's love must be sincere. Our deeds are not to be for show or the praise of others. They are to reflect a genuine caring. Otherwise we are being hypocrites. Of course we want to be sure that our acts of kindness are desired by the receiving person and not forced upon them. Sometimes in trying to be helpful, we may go overboard and insist on doing things the other person wants to do himself/herself.
Two cub scouts, whose younger brother had fallen into the lake, rushed home to mother with tears in their eyes. One of them sobbed, "We try to give him artificial respiration, but he keeps getting up and walking
away." -- James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, pp. 112-113
So don't push yourself on the other person where you are not wanted. But be willing to sacrifice your attention, energy, time, and possessions to meet the needs of others.
The Christian also must hate. We must hate bigotry, intolerance, injustice, violence, and other evil forces. Hate is not always a sin. It can be constructive. We also need anger among Christians, righteous anger against sin and evil. But we are not to hate people.
Christians must act as brothers and sisters in a caring family, for we are all members of the same family. The church is a family.
We need to show honor to others and not dishonor ourselves in seeking places of privilege in the Kingdom. We must build on humility.
We also need enthusiasm. Not many causes succeed without those whose enthusiasm motivates people and keeps them going when things get tough.
In verse 12, Paul says to be "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." In verse 13 he says, "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
It is a large order but it can be filled. Do you believe it can? I do. Paul believed it could. God can do it. We just need to make ourselves available to Him.
The greatest sacrifice of all was by Jesus Christ. Jesus existed with the Heavenly Father from eternity past, before He created the world and all that is in it. There is one God who is expressed in three ways the -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus came to earth in the form of a human being to help us to know God, to teach us how to live and to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Why would he do that?
Except for Jesus, every person has sinned. Heaven is a holy place and sin cannot enter it. All sinners are doomed to an eternal hell when they die. The only one who could offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins would have to be one without any sin of his own. Only God's Son qualified. All of the animal sacrifices of the past pointed to Him, the perfect Lamb of God.
Jesus died on a cross. He was buried and on the third day he arose from the grave. He then spent 40 days teaching His disciples, appearing to over 500 people at one time. Jesus ascended to heaven. The people witnessed a cloud taking Him up.
When you establish a relationship with Him, the Holy Spirit will come to live within you. He will give you a new direction in life, a new attitude, a new mind. God will help you to know what is right and give you the courage to do it, even in the face of opposition.
Here is how you can Know Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Accept the fact that Jesus lived and died and rose from the grave for your salvation. Invite Him into your life and commit to live for His glory and honor. You can do that by sincerely praying for Jesus to come into your life and save you. Prayer is simply talking to God. God will hear you. In fact, He even knows your thoughts. Your prayer could be something like this:
"Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I am sorry for my sins and now turn from them and to You. Please forgive my sins and cleanse me. I now ask that Jesus take charge of my life
and may Your Holy Spirit come and live within me and guide me. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen."
If you really meant this prayer, Welcome to the family of God! The Lord will always be with you. He will never leave you. He has forgiven you of your past and future sins. Christ took your sins to the cross and clothed you in His righteousness. You appear before God as righteous, not your righteousness but his imputed righteousness. And heaven is your home. When you die, you will spend eternity with the Father and the rest of the redeemed.
If you need additional help in making the decision, or in knowing what to do next, please go to the E-mail page and let me know. If you are making a commitment to Christ, letting me know will also be an encouragement to me.
-- take care, Don
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