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Being Confident Of This

Grace for the work-in-progress woman

Undesired Sacrifices and the Equation for Right Living

September 19, 2013 by stultsmamaof4 30 Comments

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?

The early Hebrew Christians continued to offer sacrifices in spite of their belief in Christ. How often are we guilty of offering modern-day sacrifices instead of the thing God wants most?

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.

**This post has a new home. Click here to read the rest!

 

Filed Under: Christianity, Women of Faith Tagged With: abiding in Christ, Bible study, Christ-centered living, doing vs. being, Hebrews, Identity in Christ, sacrifices, undesired sacrifices, Women, works

Comments

  1. wholeheartedhome says

    September 20, 2013 at 01:21

    This was a really good post Jen. Have a terrific day and continue to rely on the Lord for all your needs.

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      September 20, 2013 at 10:55

      Thanks, Judith. He is faithful!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  2. Angie Knutson (@AngieKcom) says

    September 20, 2013 at 10:52

    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!

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      September 20, 2013 at 10:57

      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 🙂

      Reply
  3. Becky says

    September 20, 2013 at 13:14

    I agree Jen, “Doing never leads to being; being always leads to doing.” says it ALL. I love that phrase!

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      September 20, 2013 at 21:12

      Thanks! It’s a good summary sentence, really.
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  4. Linda@Creekside says

    September 21, 2013 at 07:49

    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.

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      September 21, 2013 at 08:06

      Amen, Linda! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  5. LuAnn Braley says

    September 22, 2013 at 23:02

    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.

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      September 22, 2013 at 23:11

      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 🙂

      Reply
  6. carol says

    September 24, 2013 at 00:17

    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.

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      September 24, 2013 at 09:03

      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 🙂

      Reply
  7. Barbie says

    September 24, 2013 at 03:04

    So much beautiful truth here. Thanks for linking up with The Weekend Brew!

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      September 24, 2013 at 09:03

      Thanks, Barbie!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  8. Ashley Ditto says

    September 24, 2013 at 08:53

    You have a beautiful blog, and very powerful words! Blessings to you today!

    Ashley from http://theheartofashley.blogspot.com/

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      September 24, 2013 at 09:04

      Thanks so much, Ashley! I appreciate that encouragement. It’s all because of Him.
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  9. Betsy says

    September 24, 2013 at 09:17

    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!

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      September 25, 2013 at 19:16

      I’m happy to hear it encouraged you, Betsy! Hope you have a wonderful day, as well.
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  10. Rachel @ Grayberry says

    September 25, 2013 at 09:00

    “Doing never leads to being; being always leads to doing,” loved this too! Post-it worthy! Great post!

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      September 25, 2013 at 19:17

      I really believe that line came directly from the Lord, Rachel. 🙂 Thanks!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  11. Jenifer says

    September 25, 2013 at 15:38

    “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

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      September 25, 2013 at 19:21

      Thanks, Jenifer. I’m glad it spoke to you!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  12. wholeheartedhome says

    September 29, 2013 at 18:17

    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.

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      September 30, 2013 at 19:27

      Me, too, Judith! I’m so thankful Jesus’ sacrifice was enough.
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  13. Kasey Norton says

    October 1, 2013 at 20:29

    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!

    Reply
    • stultsmamaof4 says

      October 1, 2013 at 20:58

      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 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

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    October 1, 2013 at 20:16

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    April 6, 2014 at 05:09

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  3. Fighting Fear With Pre-approval | Being Confident of This says:
    April 22, 2014 at 22:31

    […] That’s really what it boils down to: how others might receive those carefully penned or typed words, some that brought forth smiles and fond memories and others that brought forth tears and sorrow.  I’ve been learning my whole life it seems how to let go of that pressure, the pressure to be perfect.  And not that anyone ever told me I had to be, because they didn’t, but that I convinced myself it was necessary, like so many other undesired sacrifices. […]

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  4. That New Girl: Finding Confidence | Being Confident of This says:
    April 24, 2014 at 02:06

    […] the good girl life, raising the good kids, serving at the good church, creating good things, and so many more undesired, unnecessary sacrifices that we’re all guilty of […]

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Hi, I'm Jen: a work in progress. I'm imperfect - a mom of four, pastor's wife, discipler, and sinner saved only by grace. I like to sing, read, write, teach, and smile. I have a heart for encouraging women everywhere to understand God's limitless love for them and what His grace means for everyday living. Welcome! :) Read More…

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