Topical Bible: Righteousness: Saints: Offer the Sacrifice of

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In the biblical context, righteousness is often associated with the conduct and character that align with God's will and commands. For the saints, or those set apart as holy unto the Lord, offering sacrifices is a significant aspect of demonstrating righteousness. This concept is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, where sacrifices are seen as expressions of devotion, obedience, and worship.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the sacrificial system was central to the Israelites' worship and relationship with God. The Law of Moses prescribed various offerings, including burnt offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and others, as means for the people to atone for sin, express gratitude, and maintain fellowship with God. These sacrifices were to be offered with a heart of righteousness, as seen in Psalm 4:5 : "Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and trust in the LORD."

The prophets often emphasized that God desired not just the ritual of sacrifice but a heart aligned with His righteousness. Hosea 6:6 states, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." This highlights that the true sacrifice God seeks is one of a righteous heart and life.

New Testament Fulfillment

With the coming of Christ, the sacrificial system was fulfilled in His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered Himself once for all, rendering the old system obsolete. However, the concept of offering sacrifices did not disappear; rather, it transformed into spiritual sacrifices.

Romans 12:1 exhorts believers: "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Here, the apostle Paul calls the saints to present their lives as ongoing sacrifices, characterized by righteousness and holiness.

Spiritual Sacrifices of the Saints

The New Testament further elaborates on the nature of these spiritual sacrifices. Hebrews 13:15-16 instructs: "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name. And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." This passage identifies praise, good deeds, and generosity as sacrifices pleasing to God, reflecting a life of righteousness.

1 Peter 2:5 also speaks to this calling: "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." The saints, as a holy priesthood, are to offer sacrifices that are spiritual in nature, rooted in the righteousness imparted through Christ.

Conclusion

The offering of sacrifices by the saints is a profound expression of righteousness, moving from the physical offerings of the Old Testament to the spiritual sacrifices of the New Testament. These sacrifices, whether through praise, service, or holy living, are a testament to a life transformed by the righteousness of God, reflecting His glory and grace in the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 4:5
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 51:19
Then shall you be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks on your altar.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Sacrifice to Caesar or to God
All Saints' Day and Other Sermons. ... to do good, to hunger and thirst after righteousness,
is the ... that which is God's"namely, yourselves; there you offer to God ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xli sacrifice to caesar.htm

What a Sacrifice Is, and what are the Species of Sacrifice.
... therefore, they were satisfactions redeeming the righteousness of the ... of saints yea,
all good works of saints. ... 2, 5: An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 30 what a sacrifice.htm

Of the Sacrifices Offered to God by the Saints, which are to be ...
... fire, and shall be rendered thoroughly sinless, and shall offer themselves to God
in righteousness, and be ... be in the body and soul of the saints the purity ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 26 of the sacrifices offered.htm

Jehovah Tsidkenu: the Lord Our Righteousness
... thou forth now in thy garments and offer acceptable sacrifice ... yes, thrice holy, but
the Lord our righteousness is he ... Let none, then, of all his saints in heaven ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jehovah tsidkenu the lord our.htm

Psalm LXXXV.
... For He shall speak peace unto His Saints, and to ... earth were made: but in order that
righteousness might look ... Mary; that He might be able to offer a sacrifice ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxv.htm

Psalm IV.
... So that this may be the meaning, "Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and hope
in ... perishes, and singleness is observed among the saints: of whom it ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm iv.htm

Elucidations.
... a purse [4271] of their excessive righteousness to dispense ... the most glorious apostles
and saints, and for ... Chrysostom: "We do not offer another sacrifice, but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/elucidations.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments
... Jacob was not a strict pattern of righteousness, prior to his ... We find all of God's
saints in straits at ... the Philistines were gathered together to offer a great ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/i praying saints of the.htm

Proof that God did not Appoint the Levitical Dispensation for his ...
... them, but faith, and obedience, and righteousness, because of ... giving directions to
His disciples to offer to God ... incense" is "the prayers of the saints." [4033 ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvii proof that god did.htm

The Testament of Levi Concerning the Priesthood and Arrogance.
... and of every firstling and of wine offer first-fruits ... Work righteousness, my children,
upon the earth, that ye may ... Adam; and He shall give to His saints to eat ...
/.../iii the testament of levi concerning.htm