How can we apply the concept of daily sacrifice in our spiritual lives? Remembering the Original Command “Each day you are to offer a bull as a sin offering for atonement; also purify the altar by making atonement for it, and anoint it to consecrate it.” (Exodus 29:36) • The sacrifice was literal, costly, and repeated daily. • It kept sin before the people’s eyes and underscored their constant need for cleansing. • The altar—God’s meeting place—had to stay pure so fellowship would not be interrupted. Christ Completes the Sacrifice, Yet Calls for Ours “We have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10) • Jesus fulfilled the sin offering permanently. • Still, He invites believers to respond: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1) • The Old Testament rhythm—daily, intentional, wholehearted—remains a model for our devotion. What Daily Sacrifice Looks Like Now 1. Daily surrender of self • Luke 9:23—“Take up your cross daily.” • Begin each morning by yielding plans, desires, and rights to Christ. 2. Daily confession and cleansing • 1 John 1:9 keeps the altar of our hearts pure. • Short accounts with God prevent lingering guilt or hardness. 3. Daily thanksgiving and praise • Hebrews 13:15—“Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” • Verbalize gratitude; sing; journal blessings. 4. Daily obedience in the ordinary • John 14:15—love expressed in keeping His commands. • Treat work, chores, and relationships as offerings placed on the altar. 5. Daily generosity • Philippians 4:18 calls gifts “a fragrant offering.” • Give time, money, encouragement wherever the Spirit prompts. 6. Daily intercession • Psalm 141:2 likens prayer to incense on the altar. • Pray for family, church, nation, world—lifting them into God’s presence. Keeping the Fire Burning • Schedule unhurried time with God; offerings were presented at set hours (Exodus 29:39). • Use Scripture as fuel—read, memorize, meditate (Psalm 1:2). • Fellowship with other believers; priests served together (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Guard against distraction and pollution; the altar was cleansed before use (2 Timothy 2:21). Living Consecrated Lives When we treat every day as an opportunity to place ourselves anew on God’s altar—cleansed by Christ, empowered by the Spirit—we echo the rhythm of Exodus 29:36. The result is continual fellowship, fresh usefulness, and a life that unmistakably bears the fragrance of worship wherever we go. |
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