On sacrifice

Hmmmm sacrifice!

I've been reading a lot lately about the value and purpose of sacrifice.

A Sacrifice is a metaphorical and physical reality. It signifies something both real and surreal at the same time. For a child of God who walks not solely in the flesh, the importance of sacrifice cannot be underestimated.

It is true that an altar is a meeting place between man (representing the physical)  and God (representing the spiritual). Alters are also (rightly)  operated via sacrifice.

But who are these sacrifices for? God?

Psalm 40:6 NIV,  says unequivocally that -

" Sacrifice and offering you did not desire-- but my ears you have opened -- burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require"

The sacrifices are certainly not requested by God for his delight.

Psalm 51:17 NLT says,

"The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God"

1 Samuel 15:22 NLT

" But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams"

So what is the function of a sacrifice? It is an indelible spiritual statement of faith which takes on an eternal life of its own.

Sacrifices are very powerful because they are living spiritual statements that can only be made by men. Spirits cannot make sacrifices.

Even children of evil make sacrifices also, lending witness to the spiritual potency of sacrifice, regardless of what side of the divide you belong.

The greatest sacrifice ever made happened when the son of God became a man on purpose and offered himself as a whole living sacrifice on behalf of all mankind. This was an act based on conviction. A spiritual statement of faith that is everlasting.

Sacrifices don't die. They live forever. Man,  made in the image of God has the power to create such living spiritual entities to achieve profound and tremendous consequences. But our lack of knowledge of our ability makes us (in several instances) mere slaves to our own creation!