Rethinking Sacrifice Week 2: Who is your sacrifice for? By: Deacon Phillip Stevenson

 Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…

 Good day, or evening depending on what time you are reading this. With Resurrection Sunday a few weeks away, I am going to get a little ahead of myself; but I implore you to walk with me. As we picture the Savior on his way up Golgotha Hill; body bloody, bruised, and broken.  However, his spirit was at an all-time high.   We often think he did this for us (which is partially true), but the number one reason why Christ sacrificed his life on the cross: it was the WILL of the Father. Think about it if you will; Jesus Christ the second member of the Trinity, left Heaven to prove a valid point. Sacrifice for God must transcend human frailty. It must be an act rooted in The Will of God.  

So fast forward to us, and if you are a member of C4 and reading this you will hear me repeat this often, “Everything we do must be done for the Lord”. We are currently in the season of Lent, and to bear fruit afterward, we must not sacrifice for any person, building, or ministry. Because if we do it will become a ritual, and to be honest considered Lukewarm in the sight of God. You know, hot enough to participate in lent, but too cold to let the sacrifice be directed by Him. 

I know, I know; we are all human, and we want tangible results from turning our plates down. Yet, if we do it with the same mindset, we get the same fleeting results. God desires to give us long-lasting gifts. When we sacrifice to get closer to God, although our bodies will become weak and our senses compromised, our spirits will be strengthened (2 Corinthians 12:2). Furthermore, by changing our approach and letting our fasting be directed by God, we are properly aligned with him. Being able to see through our emotions and feelings, to the ways in which he is providing (Isaiah 43:18-19).

It is safe to say if we follow Colossians 3:23 with this fast, the enemy is coming. I often chuckle when I say that (the enemy is coming) it reminds me of a scene from “Lean on Me” (R.I.P Joe Clark). All in all, I do not take the enemy approaching lightly, but I can’t, and I will not be afraid (2 Timothy 1:7) because where sin abounds grace abounds much more (Romans 5:20). Hence, by being Holy Spirit led in our fast, we gain Holy Ghost power. The same power that got Christ up the hill. The same power that kept him focused on the task; because truthfully speaking he had all power to get down from the cross. All power to destroy his tormentors with the snap of a finger (Thanos style). Yet, the fact that his human spirit was in tune with the Holy Spirit, meant he was obedient even in his sacrifice.

 Remember in John 15, Christ tells us apart from him we can do nothing. This is not in a literal sense, but figuratively speaking. You can do things without Christ. But there will be no meaning to it. Like donuts all the calories; but no nutritional value. As a result, we must ask ourselves do we want to help or harm the body of Christ?  Do we want this sacrifice to please man or The Great I Am? If we do it to please God, so many others get blessed. Once again, the death and resurrection of Christ is proof of that statement. Because of His one sacrifice, everyone has access to abundant and eternal life.  Good Day! God bless and be Spirit-Led!

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