Is it "sacrifice"? Is it "sacrifice"? As I was reading this morning for a class I am taking - I accidentally read the wrong chapter - however as part of this "wrong chapter" reading - I was struck by a simple phrase spoken by King David - and wanted to share it with you.
"I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24 This simple phrase - spoken by David as he was preparing to build an altar - really made an impact on me - as I so many times I think I am "sacrificing" - when in reality - I am not really sacrificing at all. You see, if I apply the basic definition of sacrifice - that being the "forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim." - I realize that many times I fall short of "forfeiting something highly valued" by just "providing something of value to someone else - but not necessarily of value to me". What I am really doing is sharing (to allow someone to use or enjoy something that one possesses) - not sacrificing. If I share - I retain ownership. If I sacrifice - I forfeit ownership. "...offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" Romans 12:1 Paul urges us in Romans 12:1 to "...in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." Understanding this "call for sacrifice" - not a call for "sharing" - I pray that we as believers truly begin to understand the difference between sacrificing and sharing and daily begin to seek become "living sacrifices" - forfeiting our lives - just as Jesus Christ sacrificed His life for us.
4:25:25 PM 
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