A Drink Offering ... (Philippians 2:17-18)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 2:17-18

Sometimes, the Holy Spirit clearly illuminates scriptures. And other times? Not so much.

I’ve read today’s verses many times, and I’ve never been quite sure exactly what Paul meant by “being poured out as a drink offering.” So I’m very grateful for commentaries by those much wiser than I. (A wonderful site for on-line commentaries: www.studylight.org.)

One commentary (New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible) interprets these words as Paul’s anticipating his eventual death, which would be like wine or oil poured over a sacrifice. Because he was the church at Philippi’s spiritual father, he was certain his death—likely martyrdom—would be as an offering to God on their behalf. And he rejoiced to be such an offering and wanted his spiritual siblings to rejoice as well.

Wow. Could I even begin to say these words? I get the rejoicing together part. I love rejoicing with my spiritual family. However, while I’m willing to give up my own life (I really do believe “to live is Christ and to die is gain”), could I rejoice in the sacrificial death of a beloved brother or sister in Christ?

That would be difficult. Paul was able to do it. He rejoiced at the expectation of his own death for the cause of Christ, and he expected the same rejoicing from his fellow believers.

I usually try to end my blogs with an encouraging words … today, though, I think I’ll just leave you to muse over Paul’s words … 

A Sacrifice of Righteousness (Psalm 51:18-19)

Today's scripture: Psalm 51:18-19

Yesterday, we talked about how God was much more pleased with our broken and contrite hearts rather than sacrifices.

Today’s verses seem to contradict that. Not really. Sometimes, we need to meditate on verses remembering the context and the time in which they were written. When David wrote these words, the Christ hadn’t come to earth yet. And the only way to demonstrate contrition was through burnt offerings.

For reasons beyond our understanding, God requires the spilling of blood for atonement. And before the Son came to earth and became our once-for-all sacrifice, that blood was offered on the altar of the tabernacle.

But there’s a key word in these verses. A mere sacrifice wasn’t sufficient. It needed to be a sacrifice of righteousness. Just as we need to come to God with broken and contrite hearts seeking His forgiveness, God was pleased with sacrifices from sincere hearts seeking redemption.

And as we saw yesterday, God desires completely surrendered hearts. He did then. And He does now.

Motives ... (Psalm 51:14-17)

Today's scripture: Psalm 51:14-17

Prior to Jesus Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, God’s people found atonement through sacrifice. Once a year, the high priest would enter the holy of holies and sacrifice a perfect, unblemished lamb.

But even then, it wasn’t the sacrifice itself that pleased God. It was the state of man’s heart. God’s delight wasn’t in the act of burning a lamb. No, it was the broken heart that said, “I know I’ve sinned against you, Holy God. Please forgive me.”

And it’s the same today. God isn’t looking for our “sacrifice.” He doesn’t desire our hard work or service if we’re doing so with a selfish heart or as an act of compulsion. He wants our “broken and contrite heart.” He wants our total surrender.

It really doesn’t matter what we do. It matters why we do it. A story from the New Testament is a good example. Jesus observed how people gave financially to the work of God. Some gave liberally, but clearly with wrong motives. Then one widowed woman gave a couple of cents. She gave from a heart broken for God. She gave because she knew anything she had was God’s anyway.

What’s the state of your heart? Are you serving God because you think it will get you more “points”? Are you giving “sacrificially” but with a proud or even resentful heart? God doesn’t really care about what you’re “burning” on the altar. He only cares that your heart is fully His. 

A Broken Heart (Psalm 51:14-17)

Today's scripture: Psalm 51:14-17

Prior to Jesus Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, God’s people found atonement through sacrifice. Once a year, the high priest would enter the "holy of holies" and sacrifice a perfect, unblemished lamb.

But even then, it wasn’t the sacrifice itself that pleased God. It was the state of man’s heart. God’s delight wasn’t in the act of burning a lamb. No, it was the broken heart that said, “I know I’ve sinned against you, Holy God. Please forgive me.”

And it’s the same today. God isn’t looking for our “sacrifice.” He doesn’t desire our hard work or service if we’re doing so with a selfish heart or as an act of compulsion. He wants our “broken and contrite heart.” He wants our total surrender.

It really doesn’t matter what we do. It matters why we do it. A story from the New Testament is a good example. Jesus observed how people gave financially to the work of God. Some gave liberally, but clearly with wrong motives. Then one widowed woman gave a couple of cents, which was all she had. She gave from a heart broken for God. She gave because she knew anything she had was God’s anyway.

What’s the state of your heart? Are you serving God because you think it will get you more “points”? Are you giving “sacrificially,” but with a proud or even resentful heart? God doesn’t really care about what you’re “burning” on the altar. He only cares that your heart is fully His.