THE SACRIFICES GOD WANTS

The writer of the book of Hebrews speaks of two sacrifices that God wants from His people: “By him [Jesus] therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15-16)  Here we are called upon to offer two types of sacrifices to God.

 

First, we are to offer “the sacrifice of praise…that is the fruit of our lips.”  This we do in both song and prayer.  In the Old Testament, God was praised with instruments of music (Psalm 150), but under the Christian system we offer “the fruit of our lips.”

 

Second, we offer the sacrifice of good works.  We are to “do good” and  to “share”, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.  Whenever we help our fellowman, God views it as an offering to Himself.  There is a proverb which says: “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord” then adds this: “And that which he hath given will he pay him again.” (Proverbs 19:17)

 

Let us always remember these two sides to the Christian life.  We must offer our worship to God and also live lives of helping others.

Claude