When God gave the Israelites the law He made it very clear that the animals they offered were to be perfect. Sacrificial animals were to be the very best of the best with no visible or physical defects. Thank God that we are no longer expected to offer live animals. But that does not mean that our lives are free of sacrifice today. Scripture teaches that the ways in which we serve and communion with God are continued as sacrifices. Offering a pleasing aroma to the Lord. As such our focus should be set on offering the best we can to the Lord. Not offering simple half-hearted prayers or worship. But we should turn to God with all we have because He is still worthy of the best.
Hebrews 13:15–16 (ESV)
15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Philippians 4:18 (ESV)
18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
1 Peter 2:5 (ESV)
5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
This very morning I almost chose to not offer God prayer in my normal manner before work. Getting out of bed, moving to the living room, and getting down on my knees just seemed like a lot today. Instead, I thought “I’ll just lay here and pray, it’s all the same right?” But the truth is it’s not the same. Chances are I would have only half-heartedly prayed and more than likely have fallen back asleep. Which would have ultimately resulted in me rushing out the door without really praying to ensure I wasn’t late to work.
If my standard way of praying is the equivalent of the perfect lamb. Then what I thought to do is instead the equivalent of the sick, lame, spotted lamb that God wouldn’t accept. Needless to say, all the passages that speak of the perfect offering started to flood my mind. Shaking me out of the bed and into the living room to offer God the kind of prayer He is worthy of. Not because I feared Him not hearing my prayer or I was afraid God would be mad. But because I know that God deserved better than what I considered to offer Him.
Leviticus 22:21–22 (ESV)
21 And when anyone offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the Lord to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering from the herd or from the flock, to be accepted it must be perfect; there shall be no blemish in it. 22 Animals blind or disabled or mutilated or having a discharge or an itch or scabs you shall not offer to the Lord or give them to the Lord as a food offering on the altar.
Malachi 1:8 (ESV)
8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 1:13–14 (ESV)
13 But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord. 14 Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.
God expected to receive the best His people had to offer back then and because He never changes He expects the best we have to offer today. And if you really know God and have experienced His greatness in your life then you should want to offer Him the best you can. You shouldn’t begrudgingly praise or pray but should turn to those with joy. Spending real time thanking and talking to your God. What you give to the Lord shouldn’t be the leftovers but should be from the first of what you receive.
You may not have the most to give but that doesn’t mean you can’t give your best. Offering a perfect sacrifice isn’t about what you have but how you use it. Under the law, God made provisions for the poor so they could give the best they were able to. Jesus spoke highly of a woman in the temple who didn’t give the most in monetary value. But she gave more than the others in the temple because she gave the best she could.
Leviticus 5:7 (ESV)
7 “But if he cannot afford a lamb, then he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation for the sin that he has committed two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.
Leviticus 5:11 (ESV)
11 “But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two pigeons, then he shall bring as his offering for the sin that he has committed a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He shall put no oil on it and shall put no frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering.
Mark 12:41–44 (ESV)
41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Your perfect offering and that of another may not, and probably will not, look the same. You may not have the time, money, position, or abilities that someone else has or you may have more of those than another. Meaning what you offer to God is going to look different than what others do. But you don’t need to be concerned with what others are offering because God isn’t looking at you compared to them. We are all standing before God on our own plan only being evaluated based on our own actions and abilities. All you need to do is give God the best offering you can which makes it perfect.
Ezekiel 33:20 (ESV)
20 Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways.”
If you haven’t been offering God a perfect sacrifice but have offered Him less than you know you should that doesn’t mean you haven’t been living for God. But it does mean you need to make a change and truly give God all that He is worthy of. However, if you once offered the Lord perfect sacrifices but have over time started to become laxer in your service toward Him that could mean you have lost your first love. Just as those in the Ephesian church were told they had and were instructed to correct their ways.
Revelation 2:4–5 (ESV)
4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
God is worthy of the greatest that we can possibly offer Him and we should do our best to meet Him with the best that we have. Not because He demands it, study His word and see that, but because we are so grateful for all that He has done for us. Every Christian should be able to admit that if God hadn’t come into their lives they would not be where they are today. Instead, we would all still be lost and broken in our sins. But today we can stand tall filled with the joy and hope our Lord offers us. Since He has given you the best life shouldn’t you put your effort into giving Him the best you can?
Do so by praying with true reverence and don’t rush only to what you want Him to do for you. Praise Him throughout the week and not just within the confines of the church building. Worshiping Him for who He is without expecting anything in return. Sacrifice time to be with your God by opening your Bible. Give God your time by being at the church every chance you can. Serve the Lord by taking the time to serve others in this world in kindness and humility. Give more than just the generic ten percent to the His work and do it with a willing heart.
These are all sacrifices that please the Lord and when we truly do them to the best of our ability they are perfect. God’s word calls us to live these very things out. By doing so with all our heart we bring glory and honor to His great name.
Visit Justin’s personal website Here. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall.