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The Way

    by Kevin Pauley

Faith and Sacrifice
Date Posted: November 16, 2020

But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me. - Philippians 2:17-18 HCSB

True sacrifice is derived from faith. It comes in proportion to it. The greater our faith, the more we sacrifice to God, and the more we sacrifice to God, the greater our faith becomes. Without faith, sacrifice is meaningless for we need to have faith in the one that we are making our sacrifices to. However, neither faith nor sacrifices are in and of themselves sufficient.

Humans naturally make sacrifices to that in which we have placed our trust and faith. We see this in pagan religions that have made rocks and trees their gods. They offer sacrifices to those false gods. However, this enrages the true God, the Creator of the heavens and earth.

Our faith should be correctly placed. We need to have faith in the right thing, which is Jesus Christ. I know it grates the post-modern mindset, but there is no salvation other than the salvation which is found in Jesus Christ.[1] To have faith in anything other than Christ leaves one with no hope of being a living, holy acceptable sacrifice to God.[2] As the Psalmist said, “Serve the Lord with reverential awe, and rejoice with trembling. Pay homage to the Son, or He will be angry and you will perish in your rebellion…”[3]

Our faith should be unwavering.[4] True sacrificial faith is free of troublesome doubt. Unfortunately, many Christians continue to struggle with doubt. They doubt God will bless them for their service and sacrifice. Like the people of Israel, contrary to all the historical evidence, they continue to doubt God will remain true to His promises.

However, faith is optimistic.[5] Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.[6] Faith takes God at His word. Faith assures us that there will be joy with sacrifice and that Yahweh Aman[7] will bless those who give their best to Him.

This implies that true faith will also dispel fear. To repeat the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid; only believe.”[8] We did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. We received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!"[9]

We mustn’t fear giving our time or talents. Too many of us are not living sacrificial lives because of fear. Fear of failing; of embarrassment; fear that God will not bless us; that we may have to go without something we really want or like. Rest assured, God will always give us what’s best.

Giving back to God from what He has given us, be it our time, talents, money, service, or even our lives, giving of all these things in a sacrificial manner will produce joy.


[1] Acts 4:12

[2] Romans 12:1

[3] Psalm 2:11-12

[4] James 1:6-7

[5] 1 Corinthians 13:7-8

[6] Hebrews 11:1

[7] Faithful God; Deuteronomy 7:9; Isaiah 49:7

[8] Mark 5:36

[9] Romans 8:15

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Biography Information:
I make no claim of superior wisdom or originality. I am a student, just like everyone else. My goal in writing is to simply share whatever God chooses to teach me (many times by my children or parishioners) on any given day. I hope the devotionals are a blessing to you.

Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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