Altars and Sacrifices
Commitment leads to an altar and sincerity to sacrifice.
We were blessed this week at Acts II Ministries, my home church, by the ministry of Bro. & Sis. Ricardo Gonzalez. I’d like to share the message of a couple sermons that ministered to me. The first message was that whenever and whatever God wants us to sacrifice, we need to put it on an altar and give it up to Him. The second was about human nature: when God asks for one offering and we disagree with Him and want to give another offering, we get mad at Him foolishly when that offering is not acceptable.
You probably know the Bible story of Cain and Abel (read about it in Genesis 4:1-12): Cain the tiller of the ground and Abel the shepherd gave offerings of their increase. Cain gave fruits and vegetables and Abel gave the “firstlings of his flock”, or the lambs of his flock. God rejected Cain’s offering but accepted Abel’s, because Abel offered what was required. We must put what He wants on the altar, without reservations and without holding anything back.
Another concept given to me by an individual of late regards times when we come to the altar and give almost everything to God, but hold back one thing we think we can handle. We leave wondering why Jesus doesn’t have complete control in our lives, yet we have only ourselves to blame. At other times we come and give everything, then take it back to ourselves when we leave. No wonder He can’t work on it if we keep pulling away from Him! Every day — or maybe every hour, minute, or second — we have to recommit it to Jesus. I’ll be the first to admit that that’s a whole lot easier said than done sometimes. Giving our all takes work. It comes down to commitment and consistency.
Relationship with God is a prerequisite to an abundant life, and relationships require commitment. God asks us to consistently give Him our all; every prayer time is a visit to the altar remind ourselves what we’re living for and to give ourselves again without any reservations. I’m striving to get better at this, and I pray you will, too. Thank you to all who dare to make their personal altars and offer everything to God as a sacrifice unrestrained and unrestricted.
Some people ask why we need to be so committed to God. The truth is that we don’t — but we forfeit the abundant life He has for us if we don’t commit to Him completely. How can He make our life abundant if we do not give it to Him?
Whenever you struggle with committing to God, remember that He is committed to you. “[H]e hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
When I stop and consider what my life is in the scheme of eternity, it is very, very small. But somehow, it seems like such a big deal to give it over to my creator. Our own identity causes such a barrier to living an abundant life. Yes, we are all important to Him, His creation, but it is when we allow ourselves to think too highly of ourselves, that’s when it stops working for us.When we become truly submitted, that’s when the real power of who you are “in Him” becomes valuable. It is then that life becomes “easy” ….yes….”easy” because you know He does the work, through you, for you and in you….you just need to submit.
And I have found too, as much as I strive to do this, consistantly or with setback, He never takes away anything I have gained through Him…only adds to it. He is such a loving God.
“Relationship with God is a prerequisite to an abundant life, and relationships require commitment.”
That’s very nicely put. I love the connection you make.
Good summary. You caught the message!