A Living Sacrifice

Many Christians are familiar with Romans 12:1-2 where Paul talks about letting your life be a living sacrifice for the glory of God. It is one of those ideas that is commonly talked about when pastors discuss the need for us to choose pure actions. But lately I've been looking at another side of sacrificial living that Paul brings up in Philippians 2:12-18. In my Bible this section is titled "Lights in the World" which then begs the question: Is there more to sacrificial living than just to live a pure life the way God intends?

My answer is yes. This kind of hit me with one of those "mindblown" effects. Verse 13 talks about how God works in us to cause us to gain His will and do His work. But right after that is another very familiar verse, often taught on but not within the context that it is found. It reads: v14-16: Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

I realized, then, that Paul continues to talk about how he is poured out for the work that the Spirit of God has called him to do (v 17). I can honestly say that I have given God liberty to use me as He will, but that doesn't come easy. In fact, that might just be the hardest part of my life. Every day I am faced with questions, implications, defeat, and even persecution due to my obedience to reach the people God has placed in my life. Even in that, though, I find impeccable, inconceivable joy. Why? Because God has given me a mission, one that only I can do, and has said that because I have agreed to do His work, I will be poured out. That is a guarantee. When working for the Lord, our spirits and even our physical bodies can get taxed and worn down; but when we look back at verse 14, God reminds us that it is our choice to do His will. Therefore, we should not be complaining or asking why He put us in the task He has chosen for us. Instead, when we start to feel like we have nothing left, we are to cling to the Word of God as our only source of strength and direction. Only then can we truly say that we did God's work the way He desired and the labor and weakness was not in vain.