The Benefits of Sacrifice

Our first benefit of sacrifice made was that of Calvary… “So we may have life and have it more abundantly.” Therefore it is based on this concept in which we view sacrifice; as for the greater good… Life in abundance!

Making sacrifice in any shape or form is delaying certain gratification to achieve something better later on. Further, the Collins dictionary provides a definitions for sacrifice as follows: “If you sacrifice something that is valuable or important, you give it up, usually to obtain something else for yourself or for other people.” Some synonyms used are, give up, abandon, relinquish, lose. The meanings of sacrifice are not limited in the sense that it may be used not only as a verb but also as a noun.

The advantages or benefits of making sacrifices may be direct or indirect. So this does not necessarily mean that if you give your entire earnings of a particular month as tithes or as an offering, that your monetary fortunes will be doubled or tripled at some point in time. While it may very well happen in this manner, one may be able to benefit in ways such as the blessings of good health – eliminating costly medical bills, protection from costly mistakes, opportunities for progress and development, gifts in kind, socializing and networking in the right crowd – those who mean you well. This list continues in ways that we can never imagine, because God works in so many supernatural ways in our lives at times. Typical examples are found in 2 Kings 4 with Elisha and the Widow’s Oil, the Shunammite Woman and others. Indeed, this is truly living the abundant life. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Interesting inspirations as this one, and more from daily devotional – Devotions on the ROCK. The first edition available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1978141696 in print and kindle.

How to explain salvation to non-believers

Salvation may be defined as freedom from the power of sin. In this way you are saved for eternal life. You are no longer lost to sin. Explaining salvation to a non-believer the main aim would be to assist such an individual to become a believer. It is therefore important to deal with the following:

What is salvation?
How was, and how is salvation received?
Why do you need salvation?

What is salvation?
A non-believer needs to be aware what this very familiar word is all about. Reiterating the definition – Salvation is freedom from the power of sin. One of the most common phrases or terms one often hear is that – only salvation lasts forever. This is implying that nothing else lasts forever. You can think as hard as you can, but you will not be able to think of anything else. Knowing this, what options do you have? What is your choice?

In reference to the definition, the word “sin” is involved. One may explain sin to be acting against what is good and moral. From the definition of salvation it speaks of the “power of sin,” which is saying that sin has power, meaning it has great influence over what is bad and immoral, which inevitably spells trouble. One also sees freedom in the definition. The opposite to all this is bondage, or being restricted. If one means well for him or her self, what would be the better option here? This is naturally a rhetorical question.

How was and how is salvation received?
One might be curious to find out how salvation came about. It came about after Jesus Christ gave His life through the shedding of His blood on the cross. This effectively saved you from all your sins, because He gave His life as a sacrifice for everyone. You therefore have no need to be troubled because the price for all sins has been paid for in this manner. The only thing left for you to do is to claim it.

How do you claim this great thing called salvation? It is claimed by accepting and believing that Christ died to save you from your sins. This requires repentance and baptism, which is participating in the death and resurrection of Christ and is a symbol of cleansing and purification. It is being born again. This involves making the decision to do away with the old and sinful life and take on a new life, which is holy and acceptable to God.

Why do you need salvation?
You may ask why it was necessary for Christ to go through all this suffering for you. It was necessary because you are just not capable of consistently upholding God’s command, in order to meet His requirements for eternal life. This provision was made for you through Christ, the risen one. You are able to seek His forgiveness, through confession, when you fail in obeying His word. This is so because no one is perfect, and you are all born as sinners.

Interesting inspirations as this one, and more from daily devotional – Devotions on the ROCK. The first edition available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1978141696 in print and kindle.