I was having a conversation with a dear friend sometime ago where we got talking about the call to follow Jesus and the ministry work. My friend made a profound statement that stuck with me till now. He said, “when we look at what Christ has done for us compared to what we think we are doing for Him, we realise that ours is not really a sacrifice but an expected response from a life that has been so transformed by Christ.”
Friend, at the very heart of the Christian life is a life of sacrifice. Actually, compared to what Christ did for us on the cross and the benefits that accrue to us via this, there is nothing we do for God that is really a sacrifice. You only consider something a sacrifice when what is given is more than what is received. Whatever it is we give or do for God is nothing compared to what we have received and what we would receive from Him.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone: but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit.” (John 12:24). This is the mathematics of God’s Grace made available when we live a life of sacrifice. A truly small life is a life lived for self, but a life lived for God is an overflowing life. The reason why some people will live and die small is because they have not made up their minds to live for Jesus. Jesus died for you so that you might live for Him (Galatians 2:20).
The New Covenant is mirrored in Abraham; we have been charged to follow the faith of Abraham (Isaiah 51:1-2, Romans 4:12). This is why in the New Covenant, we have been made partakers of the blessing of Abraham (Galatians 3:13-14). However, we must understand that the life of Abraham was a life of sacrifice. While it is good to claim the blessing of Abraham, it is also very important to have the lifestyle of Abraham; a life of sacrifice.
Your life and activities in the Kingdom is not considered a sacrifice unless it costs you something. This is why David said, “…I will not offer sacrifice unto my God of that which costs me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). Think of it, Abraham was told to sacrifice his son, his only son, and he went ahead to obey (Genesis 22:1-3 ). His obedience was so strong that it caused God to swear (Genesis 22:16-18). Really, the blessing of Abraham was provoked via a life of sacrifice and obedience.
As you go into today, I want you to rediscover the strength upon which Christianity thrives. I want you to go all the way pouring your life and your all on Jesus. Like that beautiful lady in Matthew 26:7, I want you to break your Alabaster box (that which costs you something) and ‘waste’ it on Jesus. To the disciples, it was a waste, but to Jesus, it was an investment that will speak till eternity (Matthew 26:7-13). Will you ‘waste’ your life and your all on Jesus today?
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria