Today’s passage: “Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” I Peter 1:17-19
This follows up our study on sacrifices, though it only begins to touch the hem of the garment, so to speak, of the complete concept of living our lives as sacrifices to God as Christ sacrificed Himself so that we might live. This lesson concentrates on the attitude that we should have as recipients of that sacrifice.
1. We must sacrifice by faith even when we do not understand God’s reason. Examples: Abel (Hebrews 11:4): “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead” and Abraham (Hebrews 11:17): “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son…” God told Cain exactly what to offer as a sacrifice to Him and although Cain was likely talented and blessed in his livelihood, He was not authorized to change God’s design of acceptable worship. He showed a lack of faith because he thought he knew a better way and it sadly led to the death of his brother and his own removal from the land. In contrast, Abraham did not attempt to change God’s command even when he was given what must have been the hardest task of all: the commandment to sacrifice his own son to the Lord. Abraham did not understand but he was still willing to follow the Lord until an angel of the Lord stopped him from killing Isaac. Abraham was included in the “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11 due to his belief that God would take care of everything if he obeyed, including raising Isaac from the dead. God does not speak to us in this manner today because we have his complete Word to man available, but this does not mean that we will not face extraordinary tests of faith along our personal journeys.
2. We must have a reverent spirit and honor God’s holiness as the priests were required to do. In the Old Testament, the priests offered sacrifices on behalf of the people and entered into the Holy Place. All Christians are the priesthood today and may enter God’s presence through Christ’s blood instead of relying on a man to be our mediator. When Christ, our High Priest, died, the curtain separating God from His people was torn (Matthew 27:51). In this passage, we note the reverence and purity that the priests were to exhibit for the Lord: “(The priest) shall bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his regular garments. Then he shall come out and sacrifice the burnt offering for himself and the burnt offering for the people, to make atonement for himself and for the people” Leviticus 16:24. As Christians and the royal priesthood today, we must show that same desire for purity and holiness: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” I Peter 2:9. Still further, John writes in Revelation 1:5-7 of Christians as priests: “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”
3. We must be in a state as to be pleasing to God as the priests in Moses’ day were commanded (Leviticus 22:29): "When you sacrifice a thank offering to the LORD, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf” and in Romans 15:15-16: “I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” It is important to note that we must become acceptable to God instead of expecting God to meet us on our preferential ground.
4. Present yourself as pure and in a forgiven state. Many believe that God takes us as we are, and that is true so long as we present ourselves in a respectable way and grow as we learn His will more clearly; however, if we live our lives in an impure manner, we are overstepping the boundaries of God’s acceptance of us “as we are”. Again, we can gain an understanding of this through the observances of the priest under the old law: “Do not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that has any defect or flaw in it, for that would be detestable to him.” (Deuteronomy 17:1) The priests were to offer the very best to the Lord or else it would be detestable to Him. God expects our best, and doesn’t He deserve it? “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.” II Timothy 2:15
5. We are to follow God’s commandments regarding how to present sacrifice and there is no room for changes. God’s will is perfect and cannot be improved upon by humans. Joshua followed perfectly the pattern given from God to Moses in Joshua 8:31: “He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses - an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used”. Ezekiel warns the people through God’s own words: “I am the LORD your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws” Ezekiel 20:19. And finally, a very specific command is given in Proverbs 30:5-6 "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” Certainly none of us would want to be proven a liar by our God, but this is exactly what we are attempting to call God if we do not believe that His commandments are applicable to us today. We are telling him, by our actions, that we know a better way.
6. Do not worship anyone or anything but the Lord in the manner in which He commands. Do not observe other peoples’ worship to false gods. Respect of others does not mean that we should pretend to accept something that is contrary to God’s laws. Exodus 34:15: "Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices.” We must take care to ensure that others know what we believe and why we believe it. The best way that I can think to end such a deep and wonderful subject as sacrifices that please the Lord is by the following verse: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” Hebrews 12:28.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading these verses as much as I have. I’ve learned quite a bit from this study. Dear sisters, may we never forget our place when we worship God. He is our great Jehovah, Lord and Master. Praise be to Him for His awesome power!
