Sacrifice & obedience

https://odb.org/2024/02/06/true-surrender

We all know that our lives are to be lived as a living sacrifice to God. This is in view of God’s mercy in calling us to be His children while we were yet sinners through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross on account of our sins. Therefore, we are not to conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we may test (experience) and approve the good, pleasing and perfect will of God. See Romans 12:1-2.

In response to His calling for our lives, there are bound to be sacrifices to be made. Perhaps there are things we may need to give up. Not only sinful or bad habits. Practically, in serving God, we usually need to keep our weekends free for Him. Thus, there are probably hobbies we may not be able to pursue as a consequence. For example, if we like to go camping or fishing or even travelling on weekends, this may need to be sacrificed. Not that we will not be able to pursue such hobbies anymore – just that we will not be able to do it regularly if we want to instead serve in church regularly. Instead of our hobbies and other pursuits, our lives will inevitably revolve around our service in church. When I was in university, I really wanted to join the reserve army but had to let it go as they only train during weekends and semester breaks. It was impossible to pursue both ministry and my interest at the same time.

But the rewards even on this earth may well be great when we sacrifice for God, although we must always bear in mind the spiritual principle that obedience is better than sacrifice. I think a simple way to avoid breaking that principle is not to sacrifice for the sake of sacrifice. It’s not a question of choosing to give up the apple in our left hand for the orange in our right. We give up as God instructs and commands. We seek to serve and obey. Then, I believe the peace that transcends all understanding will be upon us. What’s the point of giving up our university education to pursue our dream of being a missionary? Is that our calling in God or our own dream for adventure? Of course, ultimately, God will make the best of our bad decisions.

Be obedient to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to us. As God calls, we are bound to need to make sacrifices, one way or another. In the case of Abraham with Isaac, it was more a question of obedience than sacrifice. Sometimes, it is the same thing but not necessarily so all the time.