There is one thing in Christ: we all follow Him at a price. There are personal sacrifices you have to make if you are to really follow Him, as He told us to.
When the Hunger Fades
That in itself is what is required of every believer. However, there comes a time when this love for Him in us fades. The hunger for more disappears. And before you know it, you are slacking in your oaths, standards, and convictions towards Him.
One who swore never to look at a porn picture finds themselves staring at a woman’s body endlessly. One who said they will never swear again finds themselves abusing every single person around them after something irritates them. One who swore never to cheat again finds themselves buying sex again.
Only to regret right after the act. This would be okay if you repented and turned away for good. But some go on to backslide further while finding all loopholes in scripture to justify their actions. This is not only for the everyday Christian but for you so-called church pastors also—you who consider yourselves spiritual yet compromise on your convictions day and night, yet still have the nerve to go before God as if you are the holiest person.
Sacrifices of Convenience
You who think you are sacrificing for God in many things yet only do so at your convenience—if not to look good before men while trying to please God. Yet your heart is very far from Him!
See what He says to those who offer defiled sacrifices to Him in Malachi 1:11-14 (NASB):
“My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty.
“But you profane it by saying, ‘The Lord’s table is defiled,’ and, ‘Its food is contemptible.’ And you say, ‘What a burden!’ and you sniff at it contemptuously,” says the Lord Almighty. “When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the Lord. “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations.”
The Same Warning Today
This is in reference to you as it was to the priests and Israelites back then. You who offer only a remainder of your balance after spending on everything apart from tithe. You who, after gratifying all your lustful desires, have the nerve to stand on pulpits and preach—pretending to be righteous while defiling your bodies at the same time.
What good is it to lie to God in your actions? Do you really think God sees as men see? That He doesn’t keep note of what you do in the dark? That He doesn’t know your dark desires? Why waste your time trying to appease Him when He knows you are not doing so wholeheartedly? Shall He really be pleased with your sacrifices?
Get Right Before You Offer
Therefore, sister or brother, it is by no means reasonable to continue pretending to be holy when your very heart is testifying against you. Rather, it is wiser to sit back and first get right with God. Then come and present your sacrifice holy before Him. Only then shall He honor it.
A sacrifice made with pure love is honoured. Likewise, a sacrifice made with a double-sided heart is not honoured. You see that from Cain. So don’t be like him.
Offer from a Genuine Heart
Ensure next time, before you walk out the door, that you make a covenant not to look at any woman lustfully. Before you offer tithe in church, ensure you didn’t steal or cheat that money your way. Before you try to smile at everyone at your workplace, ensure you love each one of them from the bottom of your heart. For any sacrifice not done out of love, what good is it?
