When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Hebrew believers, numerous sacrifices had been offered to God for over 4000 years—from the time of Abel down to his own day. A change had then come in and Paul was instructing them that the time for types and shadows was over, and that now they had been brought into the better thing. They were now to worship God by the Spirit and in the presence of God within the veil. The fat of rams and the blood of goats, or any of the varied offerings ordained under the Mosaic economy, were not intelligent offerings for Christians.
The question might very conceivably arise in their minds, "But have we nothing to offer? Is there nothing for us to present to God?" The Apostle answers that they had been brought to that better place where they had an altar, "whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle." Heb. 13:1010We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. (Hebrews 13:10). Those who still offered the sacrifices that only pointed on to Christ had no right to participation in that which was suitable to, and characteristic of, Christianity. Here all that is offered to God is the fruit of His own grace, and is but the outflow of a living connection with Christ. For faith, the old things had truly passed away.
Then the Apostle goes on to name some things that are suitable Christian sacrifices. Yes, they were permitted to offer something, even though they were to leave the temple and all its ritual. It was their privilege to "offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name." No temple was needed in which to offer this sacrifice, nor was it limited to certain set feast days, but it was to God, and it was continually. Obviously, only those who were children of God and indwelt by the Spirit were capable of presenting such sacrifices.
Singing and Making Melody in Your Heart
We see something of the character of present sacrifices of praise in the healed leper of Luke 17. He was sent to the temple and its priests where he might offer his gifts, but on being healed he got a glimpse of the glories of the Person who healed him. He promptly turned his back on all the earthly system of worship to return to the Lord Jesus where he "fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks." v. 16. He found in Him one who was greater than the temple, but it was only discerned by faith. The natural man turns instinctively to outward forms and ceremonies for his pattern of worship.
It is important, therefore, that in the midst of God's blessings in giving a man and his wife a home down here where our Lord had none, there should be the spirit of praise found therein. The Epistle of James reminds us that if we are afflicted we are to pray, but if we are happy then we are to sing psalms. In other words, we are to take all from God and all to God. In this way the blessings do not displace the Blesser in our thoughts, for we acknowledge Him and render thanks to Him. A Christian home where the Lord and His things are enjoyed will often resound with songs of praise.
May this be more characteristic of our homes, for these "spiritual sacrifices" are acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:55Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)). Were not the praise and thanksgiving of the healed leper precious and acceptable to the Lord Jesus? Surely they were! And we are assured by the Word of God that our words and songs of praise are acceptable to Him. What a privilege is ours, and how vastly superior to that of the Jews of old.
Two More Forms of Sacrifices
The Apostle Paul continued, "To do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Heb. 13:1616But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:16). Here are two more forms of sacrifices a Christian may and should offer to God. He is to do good. This covers a great field, for in many ways he may do good. He is to "do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Gal. 6:1010As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10). It may be in helping a sick one who needs assistance—either one of the Lord's, or perhaps an unsaved one where we may have opportunity to witness for Christ. We shall not enlarge on the great possibilities which this acceptable form of sacrifice offers. May we have an ear attuned to hear Him direct us in ways and places to so serve Him. Perhaps no one will know about it besides the one helped and the Lord. But that is all the better, for then our treacherous hearts shall not have opportunity to glory in it.
The next in order are the words, "and to communicate forget not," that is, to distribute of our money or of our goods to others, for this also is well-pleasing to the Lord. We know Israel of old was required to tithe, that is, to give a tenth of their increase to the Lord. Now there is no such word for Christians. Why? Simply because we are not now under the law and commanded to do something. We are under grace and lordship. What we render to God of our temporal things should be done as the overflow of a full heart, a heart that is enjoying all that grace has wrought for us. In the matter of lordship, we are to remember that we are no longer our own; we and all we have belong to another. The Lord has purchased us and we are His. A poet has expressed it thus:
Naught that I have my own I call,
I hold it for the Giver;
My heart, my strength, my life, my all,
Are His, and His forever.