Imagine waking up every morning, trudging out to your backyard, and building a fire to offer a burnt sacrifice on a stone altar placed there.
You head back out again later in the day when you choose self over others, and again after that unkind thought, and again after snapping at a loved one. In and out of the house, offering sacrifices for sins committed throughout the day – it’s an exercise in futility.
Today we would call such behavior crazy, wouldn’t we?
Of course we would because we no longer offer burnt sacrifices like the Israelites did in the Old Testament …or do we?
Earlier this week, I read these words:
Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; Heb. 10:11
“Daily,” the priests stood at their posts; “time after time” they offered the “same” sacrifices for the same sins. Such repetition calls attention to the never-ending nature of their tasks.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary explains that at the time the letter to the Hebrews was written, the Jewish Christians continued to offer sacrifices at the temple.
For those who believed in Christ and His resurrection, such offerings should have been rendered meaningless by His atonement as the final sacrifice.
So, why were they still trudging back and forth to the altar of sacrifice, so to speak?
They knew of the gospel, the good news that abolished the old system and established a new covenant built on the cornerstone of Grace, but they struggled to let go of their old ways.
At first glance, I was tempted to think, how silly of them – they’re doing so much work and it’s all meaningless!
But lately the Lord has been opening my eyes to an alarming truth: I sometimes offer my own daily sacrifices, often without even realizing it.
Just think about it for a moment.
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This was a really good post Jen. Have a terrific day and continue to rely on the Lord for all your needs.
Thanks, Judith. He is faithful!
Jen 🙂
Love this – “Doing never leads to being; being always leads to doing.” Definitely right in tune with the messages I’ve been hearing from Him lately! Such a great post, Jen! Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear it’s translating well! It made sense to me when I was talking with the Lord about it, but I wasn’t sure how it would come across to others. Thanks for the encouragement!
Jen 🙂
I agree Jen, “Doing never leads to being; being always leads to doing.” says it ALL. I love that phrase!
Thanks! It’s a good summary sentence, really.
Jen 🙂
Oh how thankful I am this morning that it is for freedom that Christ has set us free! Freed up to love, serve, praise, live life well.
Amen, Linda! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Jen 🙂
New subscriber via Make Your Home Sing Monday at Momstheword.
Wow. I make that mistake with God and I also make the mistake with my husband. If I just do this or do that, then I will have His/his approval, or I will be worthy…blah, blah, blah. I will start being more and let the doing take care of itself. Thank you.
Oh, I’m right there with you, LuAnn. It’s a hard habit to overcome! It’s just so difficult for us to believe that grace really is enough. But I think recognizing our tendency to “sacrifice” is at least half of the battle. I pray God blesses you as you work toward that end!
Jen 🙂
Great insights. God desires us to be in relationship with Him and to be obedient. We need time apart with Him to hear his voice. I’m you neighbor at UNITE.
Yes, He does desire our obedience! He doesn’t desire sacrifices in an effort to earn approval or out of obligation. It’s really about the heart motivation, and the heart can be so tricky at times. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Jen 🙂
So much beautiful truth here. Thanks for linking up with The Weekend Brew!
Thanks, Barbie!
Jen 🙂
You have a beautiful blog, and very powerful words! Blessings to you today!
Ashley from http://theheartofashley.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much, Ashley! I appreciate that encouragement. It’s all because of Him.
Jen 🙂
Thank you for the encouragement… His grace is enough! This is exactly the reminder that I need in my life this morning! Have a wonderful day!
I’m happy to hear it encouraged you, Betsy! Hope you have a wonderful day, as well.
Jen 🙂
“Doing never leads to being; being always leads to doing,” loved this too! Post-it worthy! Great post!
I really believe that line came directly from the Lord, Rachel. 🙂 Thanks!
Jen 🙂
“There is absolutely nothing we can do ourselves, that it’s all about Him and the life He gave.” Love it!
Thanks for linking up to Woman to Woman’s Word Filled Wednesday! God bless!
Jenifer
Thanks, Jenifer. I’m glad it spoke to you!
Jen 🙂
Oh I am so glad that I don’t have to offer a sacrifice each day!!! It is much nicer to sit down to read my Bible. I think we are to totally surrender everything to God instead. I am thankful for the trail of blood through the Old Testament ending in Christ’s death on the cross so we don’t have to do sacrifices any longer. Thanks for sharing this over at WholeHearted Wednesdays this past week.
Me, too, Judith! I’m so thankful Jesus’ sacrifice was enough.
Jen 🙂
I’m not sure I could tell you how badly I needed to read this. It came at exactly the right time. I featured it on my link-up this week at Walking Redeemed!
That’s so encouraging to me, Kasey! 🙂 Thanks for letting me know. I thought I had a handle on it last week, but the Lord had to remind me again this week. Oh well, it’s a work in progess, right?
Jen 🙂