We could never exhaust the subject of true worship in quips of admonitions like we have done in these three days, but bring out the salient points for our practice. Our text today introduces us to the dimension of worship being sacrificial obedience. Consider the test of Abraham’s faith in Genesis 22:1-14 (AMPC), noting particularly God’s judgment of Abraham’s act in verse 12 – And He said, Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear and revere God, since you have not held back from Me or begrudged giving Me your son, your only son.
David, God’s elect king also operating under grace, picked up the same refrain in the rearing up an altar to entreat the Lord who afflicted Israel with a plague due to his disobedience (2 Samuel 24:18-25 (AMPC). Noting verse 24 in particular – But King David said to Araunah, No, but I will buy it of you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God of that which costs me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
Every beneficiary of the grace of God made available through the sacrifice of the life of Christ must answer this question, what will you give up for Christ? If you are still struggling on this matter, let me draw your attention to the story of the rich young ruler narrated by the Lord in Luke 18:18-30, noting the following:
- Jesus loved him according to Mark’s account in Mark 10:21, yet did not pursue him when he was unwilling to part with his riches to follow Christ; and
- Jesus’ comments in Luke 18:28-30 responding to Peter – And Peter said, See, we have left our own [things–home, family, and business] and have followed You. And He said to them, I say to you truly, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God Who will not receive in return many times more in this world and, in the coming age, eternal life.
The disciples had left ALL! Why should it be different for us? Have you given up the things that qualify you for worldly recognition to follow Christ? Search your heart and see if indeed you are a disciple! Selah.
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