SACRIFICE

It is funny, this struggle we have with faith – what we see in the mirror darkly is often the image of what we should be, of what God wants to change us into. Questions of faith, especially where sacrifice is evolved, are always questions about self and our willingness to die (more) and thereby more fully submit to God’s heart. It’s simply replacement theology where self, our carnal nature, is crucified, making way for God’s resurrected life to grow within. There are those who look for unity in The Light, the revelation of God’s word, and those who look for unity in The Life, the life of Christ within. Perhaps we should look for unity in Love, God’s love within embodying the commandment to love other people in the same way, degree, and manner we love our self, and demonstrated by a heart that willingly gives (Acts 4:32, 34-35), never counting the cost -- a sacrificial life that never seeks its own and gives out of excess and abundance, gives out of need, and gives until all is given. Can we really trust God for our “daily bread” when we already have cupboards full of food and money to buy more? A better question: Can we have this Love without having The Light and The Life? I think not. Can we have The Light and The Life and not have this unity of Love? Sadly, we seem to think so.

Matthew 25: 31-45 provides a mandate on demonstrating God’s sacrificial love to our brethren, a mandate we need to take to heart. Notice it is the righteous who give food, water, clothing and shelter, and visit the sick and imprisoned brethren. And it is these righteous ones to whom Jesus says “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” The return of our Lord will usher in this judgment of moral character – Christlikeness -- in preparation for the millennial reign, determining who will enter the Kingdom. One gets the impression both the goats and the sheep are surprised at the judgment criteria, but the sheep, who had demonstrated the passionate sacrificial heart of God in life, were overjoyed at their reward. And the goats… well it doesn’t get any more serious then this! The metaphor with the sheep and goats is the “Christian label”:  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21) Righteous works are the outward demonstration of inner faith and righteousness. Good works do not produce Godly character, Godly character produces good works. Matthew 25 should give us nightmares if we really understand this passage and have not taken it to heart in committed action. In this case obedience is sacrifice!