The other day I was remembering back to when we completed a safety drill at school and my students had asked me several times, "well what would you do if a guy with a gun came in our classroom." I did not hesitate to say that I would willingly take a bullet for any of them. Some of the kids could not fathom why I would do this and it was utterly impossible explaining to them that I can't take a chance on their salvation and that they may need more time on earth where as I know I am saved and going to heaven. (deep concept for 6th graders)
Fast forward to my study I was doing in Genesis this week. I was reading the account of God testing Abraham by taking his son and slaughtering/sacrificing him on top of a mountain. Now that I can't comprehend---probably exactly like my students could not comprehend. God spared Isaac but Abraham was willing and obedient without his questions being answered.
The intentions and reasons were different in my school situation and in Abraham's but the concept of sacrifice is the same no matter what the situation. My flesh hates sacrifice--hates it! God understood the sacrifice at hand with Abraham--for he gave his only son as a sacrifice for the world and our salvation. God's sacrifice out does them all with Jesus.
As I finished my devotion I was playing the last few months over and over in my head, trying to figure out what I've sacrificed for the purpose of the kingdom. Nothing really came to mind.
I guess me not spending a lot of money on clothes is a sacrifice....NO. Maybe me cutting back on sweets in order to maintain my weight is a sacrifice (it really does feel like a sacrifice saying no to a milkshake)....NO. All of the menial things I wanted to make fit, just don't. Sacrifice like the one Abraham was willing to make I just don't see in my life. In fact, I'm almost certain that if God asked me to sacrifice a loved one in my life I might act like I didn't hear him say it.
Oh the faith of Abraham----willing to sacrifice a human (we're not even talking material things here-we're talking real things) on God's behalf and out of obedience.
Thank you God for the sacrifice of Jesus, so that no matter how short I fall, you make me whole.
Ephesians 5:1
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly beloved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
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