What is spiritual sacrifices?

[Carmenere]

Hello

I'm reading 1 Peter 2:4-12.

I could be wrong but is spiritual sacrifice worship? What is spiritual sacrifices?

May someone teach me what Peter is saying in verses 4-12? Thank you.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve.

 

[Tina W]

I think that would be our worship and our giving of ourselves to God.

 

[1watchman]

Yes, it is speaking of how to live the Christian life in a faithful way ---worshipping, and also "desire the sincere milk of the Word" (the messages of God to Christians to live the life they have in Christ alone); the saints are both a "holy (and) royal priesthood" to approach the "throne of grace" in worship and communion with the Lord; the real believers are "now people of God" (by faith in the Lord Jesus, the Christ of God); "abstain from fleshly lusts", and honor God in all things; honor God by obeying the worldly authorities too (unless it goes against the truth and ways of God). These are all shown to live for God here below a little while.

A new born saint must live for God fully in all things, be devoted to the Savior, and a bright and faithful witness, while walking in this sinful world.

 

[Bramwell]

Hebrews tells us that the physical sacrifices and offerings of the Old Testament were merely "shadows" of things to come. And the Bible also tells us that God "would have mercy, not sacrifice".

A spiritual sacrifice, from my perspective, is a sacrifice in our hearts and attitudes. It can manifest itself physically, and often does; but it starts from within, and works its way out (rather than vice versa).

One of the most common sacrifices in general is obviously the sacrifice of praise. But some often overlooked examples include attitudes of thankfulness, and a willingness to share. In many ways, these latter sacrifices are more spiritually significant than just mouthing platitudes ABOUT God, which even a heathen can do.

Ultimately, the most important sacrifice we can make is to love. To love, truly, requires SELF-sacrifice, which entails denying ourselves. The more we can do this, the more of Christ' love we can bring to the world.

 

[Job8]

I could be wrong but is spiritual sacrifice worship? What is spiritual sacrifices?

1. Since God is a Spirit (Jn 4:24) a "spiritual sacrifice" is something which is offered to God "by Jesus Christ" (through the power of the indwelling Christ and the Holy Spirit -- 1 Pet 2:5).

2. A sacrifice in Scripture is something which costs you -- there is a cost involved, whether of time, of money, of energy, or of self-sacrifice (2 Sam 24:24).

3. A spiritual sacrifice is "acceptable to God" (1 Pet 2:5; Heb 13:16) -- God is "well pleased" with it.

4. The first spiritual sacrifice is a contrite heart and a broken spirit -- repentance toward God (Ps 51:19).

5. The next spiritual sacrifice is the offering up of the believer to God -- body, soul and spirit (Rom 12:1 where the soul and spirit are within the body) -- a living sacrifice.

6. The next spiritual sacrifice is non-conformity to the world -- self-denial (Rom 12:2; 1 Jn 2:15-17) which is tied to #5.

7. The next spiritual sacrifice is worship "in spirit and in truth" -- praise and thanksgiving to God (Heb 13:15).

8. The next spiritual sacrifice is good works -- to do good and to "communicate" (share by distributing to the necessity of the saints) (Rom 12:13; Heb 13:16).

9. The next spiritual sacrifice is hospitality -- having others in your home to share what you have (Rom 12:13; 1 Pet 4:9).

10. The next spiritual sacrifice is service to God by faith -- the use of your spiritual gifts (Phil 2:17)

11. The next spiritual sacrifice is righteousness before God -- justice, mercy, and humility (Mic 6:6-8).

12. The final and supreme spiritual sacrifices are to (a) love God with your whole being and (b) to love your neighbour as yourself (Mk 12:33).

All believers should recognize and hold fast to the truth that God has made all His children "kings" and "priests" (1 Pet 2:5,9; Rev 1:6) and that is the ground on which we offer spiritual sacrifices. This is called the Priesthood of Believers.

 

[Carmenere]

1. Since God is a Spirit (Jn 4:24) a "spiritual sacrifice" is something which is offered to God "by Jesus Christ" (through the power of the indwelling Christ and the Holy Spirit -- 1 Pet 2:5).

2. A sacrifice in Scripture is something which costs you -- there is a cost involved, whether of time, of money, of energy, or of self-sacrifice (2 Sam 24:24).

3. A spiritual sacrifice is "acceptable to God" (1 Pet 2:5; Heb 13:16) -- God is "well pleased" with it.

4. The first spiritual sacrifice is a contrite heart and a broken spirit -- repentance toward God (Ps 51:19).

5. The next spiritual sacrifice is the offering up of the believer to God -- body, soul and spirit (Rom 12:1 where the soul and spirit are within the body) -- a living sacrifice.

6. The next spiritual sacrifice is non-conformity to the world -- self-denial (Rom 12:2; 1 Jn 2:15-17) which is tied to #5.

7. The next spiritual sacrifice is worship "in spirit and in truth" -- praise and thanksgiving to God (Heb 13:15).

8. The next spiritual sacrifice is good works -- to do good and to "communicate" (share by distributing to the necessity of the saints) (Rom 12:13; Heb 13:16).

9. The next spiritual sacrifice is hospitality -- having others in your home to share what you have (Rom 12:13; 1 Pet 4:9).

10. The next spiritual sacrifice is service to God by faith -- the use of your spiritual gifts (Phil 2:17)

11. The next spiritual sacrifice is righteousness before God -- justice, mercy, and humility (Mic 6:6-8).

12. The final and supreme spiritual sacrifices are to (a) love God with your whole being and (b) to love your neighbour as yourself (Mk 12:33).

All believers should recognize and hold fast to the truth that God has made all His children "kings" and "priests" (1 Pet 2:5,9; Rev 1:6) and that is the ground on which we offer spiritual sacrifices. This is called the Priesthood of Believers.

Thank you!

 

[Johnnz]

It's our life lived out of our relationship with Jesus wherever we are. Paul wrote:
Rom 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV

In whatever situation we are in, work, school, driving our car, family, socialising we are to live out of our relationship with Jesus.

John
NZ

 

[Steeno7]

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." (Romans 12:1)

oops, missed the posts before mine. Great minds....

 

[com7fy8]

very good things already shared

"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)

So, in doing His sacrifice, Jesus was sweet-smelling about all He did and went through, on Calvary.

Like this, we need to be sweet about our sacrifices.

sweetly pleasing to God

Also, I notice how Jesus did His sacrifice as "an offering". If I "offer" something, I am not demanding and expecting it to be accepted, but I welcome our Father's evaluation about if it is acceptable to Him. So, surely Jesus was accepted, but we do good by offering humbly our sacrifices, desiring our Father to sniff if our sacrifices are sweet-smelling to Him

But we can have an attitude that we have done so much and we are so right that surely our sacrifices are accepted. But we need to humbly submit to God, instead, seeking for Him to guide us to do what He really desires.

The sacrifice of obedience can mean more than great quantities of time and effort and money.

"'In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.'" (Genesis 22:18)

So, with obedience we can get "all the nations of the earth" blessed. But our own egos' effort with much money and action and suffering, "maybe with frustration", may do nothing; "for without Me you can do nothing," Jesus says in John 15:5.

"'Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'" (Matthew 11:29)

So, His sacrifices are in His rest for our souls "We are sacrificed to peace." Colossians 3:15

 

[Bramwell]

A few posters have mentioned the "living sacrifice" verse in Romans, which is in fact a reference to physical sacrifices. They have their place, though ultimately what is most important are SPIRITUAL sacrifices, which can't be seen. These are a lot harder to discern.

Comments shared about the importance of obedience really resonate with me. In fact the Bible actually says "to obey is better than sacrifice". So, as Christians, we really do need to take a close look at what we can do to obey Jesus as the most pleasing sacrifice possible unto the Lord.

And we can't forget that Jesus reminds us a couple of times in the Gospels that God would have mercy and not sacrifice. I think that's helpful in terms of bringing to remembrance that what is really most important is love, and any works we produce which flow from that source.

 

[Johnnz]

A few posters have mentioned the "living sacrifice" verse in Romans, which is in fact a reference to physical sacrifices. They have their place, though ultimately what is most important are SPIRITUAL sacrifices, which can't be seen. These are a lot harder to discern.

That is just not true. You have superimposed a preexisting concept onto the texts. Your thinking shows an unbiblical dualism.

John
NZ

 

[Carmenere]

That is just not true. You have superimposed a preexisting concept onto the texts. Your thinking shows an unbiblical dualism.

John
NZ

May you please explain why it is not true and thank you.

 

[Johnnz]

May you please explain why it is not true and thank you.

Sure.

Jewish thinking was very holistic. Gods blessings were very material, to fit in with our 'earthiness' our humanity. Security from enemies, adequate food and wine, children, a house and family were signs of God's favour. After this life the renewed earth was this earth, not some 'spiritual realm' somewhere else.

In contrast Greek thinking saw matter, the material world, as corrupting of true spirituality. Escape from the physical into a non physical realm was their hope. That was dualistic thinking, two realms opposed to each other. In the centuries following the NT period Greek educated teachers gradually infiltrated the biblical account with such dualistic concepts, which we have inherited too.

I saw that dualism in your post. Hence my comment. I trust this clarifies my thinking for you.

John
NZ

 

[Carmenere]

Sure.

Jewish thinking was very holistic. Gods blessings were very material, to fit in with our 'earthiness' our humanity. Security from enemies, adequate food and wine, children, a house and family were signs of God's favour. After this life the renewed earth was this earth, not some 'spiritual realm' somewhere else.

In contrast Greek thinking saw matter, the material world, as corrupting of true spirituality. Escape from the physical into a non physical realm was their hope. That was dualistic thinking, two realms opposed to each other. In the centuries following the NT period Greek educated teachers gradually infiltrated the biblical account with such dualistic concepts, which we have inherited too.

I saw that dualism in your post. Hence my comment. I trust this clarifies my thinking for you.

John
NZ

So physical sacrifices is wrong. Correct?

 

[Johnnz]

So physical sacrifices is wrong. Correct?

They were part of the old covenant. But with the New Covenant established by Jesus and his sacrifice there can be no other sacrifice for sin, but now, in our gratitude, we offer ourselves in service to God.

John
NZ

 

[Carmenere]

How do I offer myself in service to God?

 

[Steeno7]

A few posters have mentioned the "living sacrifice" verse in Romans, which is in fact a reference to physical sacrifices.

That verse as well as many others like it are all expressing dependent attitudes that are differing facets of faith. To "present" is faith offering ourselves to the rightful owner. To "reckon" is faith counting on the reality. To "submit" is faith yielding to authority. To "abide" is faith remaining where God puts us. To "rest" is faith enjoying God's activity. Etc. Etc.

 

[Job8]

How do I offer myself in service to God?

See my post on spiritual sacrifices. Look at the Scriptures. Then just do it.

 

[Carmenere]

See my post on spiritual sacrifices. Look at the Scriptures. Then just do it.

Thank you.

 

[Norah63]

When we walk in this world and see a mental case or sick in any way, what is our first response?
Do we automatically think that we are hearing from Holy Spirit what to do? Or just turn away hoping our tax dollars are helping?
This is down to basics, it may be Jewish or it may be good Samaritan.
Has it been taught in your congregation lately, can love walk away sadly because we have not heard a word?