Sacrifice… or Inconvenience?

‘Time in the Word’ By Clayton Adams

We live in a selfish culture. We want our “rights” even if it costs someone else theirs. Rights without responsibility or accountability is selfishness and it’s undeniable that we live in a very selfish culture.

Many of our men and women have sacrificed their rights and lives so that others may continue to enjoy theirs. What does it mean to sacrifice?

The English word “sacrifice” comes from the Latin word, sacrificare, “to make sacred.” William Gilders described this as, “sacrifice means to permanently transfer something from the human realm to the divine/supernatural life.”

How can this “transfer” happen?

Throughout the Old Testament we read of people offering sacrifices up to God. God received the sacrifices as a “pleasing odor” (Genesis 8:21; Leviticus 2:9; Ezra 6:10).

In Hebrews 13:15 we read; “Through Him (Jesus Christ) then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.” — What we offer up is very personal, intimate and costly — our own words of praise coming from our body, soul and spirit to God.

Praising God is not easy when all hell has let loose in your life. When the doctor says you have cancer.

When your spouse says I want a divorce. When you are let go from your job.

When your bills are greater than your income. When you get the phone call informing you that a loved one or close friend has died. Praising God at these moments is not only a sacrifice it is also a necessity.

What does your sacrifice of praise cost you? Does it cost you anything? If it doesn’t cost you something is it truly a sacrifice?

When you praise God – is it only in good times? If so, is that a true sacrifice of praise? What if everything is wrong in your life – will you praise God simply because of who He is and not what He is doing or not doing for you?

The challenge is to understand the difference between a sacrifice and an inconvenience. Most of us don’t know what it is like to sacrifice mostly because we avoid being inconvenienced in our lives. We want our rights, we want what is ours, and we don’t care what it costs for us to be comfortable and living in convenience.

If your sacrifice doesn’t cost you something then its only an inconvenience not a sacrifice. When is the last time you gave a sacrifice of praise to God?

Clayton Adams has a message of faith he would like to share with the community. He would also like to hear from you. E-mail him at claytonpadamslll@ gmail.com.