When you minister to the Lord in worship, what opens the gates into His presence is thanksgiving. But what defines thanksgiving is sacrifice. The sacrifice of praise is every bit as literal of a sacrifice as what Jesus did. The difference is this: While He laid down His life in the flesh, we lay down our lives in the spirit.
Psalm 50:23 says, “Whoever sacrifices a thank offering glorifies Me and makes a way; I will show him the salvation of God.” Here’s the thing: No sacrifice wants to die. Your flesh? Absolutely does not want to be sacrificed for any reason, not even for God. Maybe you’re comfortable raising your hands in church, then sacrifice with a shout! Maybe you’re fine with singing, then sacrifice by getting those hands into the air! You’re only sacrificing things that needed to die anyway like inhibitions, self-consciousness, fear of other people’s disapproval or negative opinions, or the fear of the unknown. God thought you were worth every sacrifice. Do you think He is worth the same?
Paul wrote this to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new.” Pirates like to say, “Dead men tell no tales.” Christians might say it this way: “Dead men have no opinions.” If you are in Christ, you are dead- now act like it!!
Paul wrote this in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” I no longer live. Remember, dead men have no opinions! Worship the Lord without a say in what happens. Just minister to Him, dead to self and alive in Christ! ❤ Amen!
