BELIEVE, RECEIVE & LIVE!

Taken from this morning's Bible Reading, Psalms 50:5-9

5 “Bring my faithful people to me—

those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.”
6 Then let the heavens proclaim his justice,
for God himself will be the judge. Interlude

7 “O my people, listen as I speak.
Here are my charges against you, O Israel:
I am God, your God!
8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices
or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns
or the goats from your pens.

God's perfect moral nature demands that the penalty for sin be death; however, people could offer an animal to God as a substitute for their own lives, symbolizing their faith in the merciful and forgiving God. But people were offering sacrifices and forgetting their significance.! The very act of sacrifices showed that they had once agreed to follow God wholeheartedly. But at this time their hearts were not in it. We may fall into the same pattern when we participate in religious activities, tithe, or attend church out of habit or conformity rather than out of heartfelt love and obedience. God wants righteousness, not empty ritual.

This, of course does not mean we ought to stop worshipping God and having a relationship with Him. Rather we ought to go back into our 'closet' and seek deep within ourselves (with the help fo the Holy Spirit) our motives and purpose in our offering. What God has done for us is too amazing and awesome to not WORSHIP and ADORE Him.

When I read this passage today, I just halted my spiritual journey momentarily... to re-evaluate my 'offerings and sacrifice'. I know for certain that Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice and therefore do not need to offer any more sacrifice for my short comings... but my response is to continue in the relationship wholeheartedly to God through Jesus Christ. God no longer demands for my sacrifice... He is satisfied by the One and Only Son who have given it all for my (and everyone) salvation and redemption.

My only respond is to believe, receive and live!