Hebrews 13:16 NLT *"And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God*".
THE SACRIFICE OF DOING GOOD
Sacrifice is one word some believers do not want to hear again. Why? They feel it is an old testament thing. The argument is that Christ has offered the final sacrifice on the cross. So, what other sacrifice does God want from us now?
Oftentimes, some believers confuse the one-time sacrifice of Christ for sins and redemption with the continuous sacrifice of consecration demanded of the believer. They are not the same, the latter is a product of the former.
In the opening text, Paul is saying: God still wants sacrifices, but not animals. He wants your life. Two sacrifices please Him today. The first is the sacrifice of doing good.
Doing good means helping people even when they cannot pay you back. It is choosing to be kind when you have power to be wicked.
The Samaritan in Luke 10 pleased God more than the Priest and the Levite because he did good. The Priest went to church, performed his sacerdotal duties but the Samaritan helped a wounded man and was commended by God.
Today, It baffles me to see people refusing to help a distressed person except they charge a fee. For instance, someone whose phone is misplaced gets charged by the person who found it. Isn't it an act of wickedness to lay a charge on someone who has been searching for a missing item that you found? Children of God shouldn't act like this.
*God is not pleased when you are very spiritual in church but very mean at home or work. Your goodness at home, office, shop, is regarded as worship by God not only when you sing and lift your hands in church*.
*Personally, I think the life we leave outside the four walls of the church speaks more about our walk with the Lord more than what we do inside the church. Everyone is good in the church but their goodness comes under scrutiny outside the four walls of the church*.
Dearest, God wants to see your act of goodness. You were not saved by good works yet you are saved for good works. Start doing it.
Ephesians 2:10 says, *"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them*" (ESV).
Father, I thank you for the sacrifice of Christ for me. I receive grace to offer the sacrifice expected of me in Jesus name.