Into the Fire

It’s not a word that elicits a warm and fuzzy response, is it? No. Instead it might cause a shiver, a hesitation, the old hairs on the back of the neck prickling, or even the more exaggerated rolling of the eyes indicative of resentment or rebellion. Yet it is a word that depicts something very critical to a person’s well being, and when the full understanding of that word registers in a human heart the way it should, it brings change.

A Christian must deal with sacrifice. From beginning to end. To become a Christian a person has to recognize the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and accept it as the atonement for his own sin as well as those of all the world. And when that recognition takes place, a person relinquishes his own life and gives it up to God via Jesus’ provision of death to self and resurrection through Him. A Christian no longer belongs to himself. The Holy Spirit is now His resident in place on earth to teach, counsel, and comfort the Christian man or woman in this new life secured by Christ. Jesus now prays (intercedes) for us at the right hand of the Father, knowing how difficult it is on this planet to maintain a holy life.

So for some, life seems to dally right around this conversion experience and never move too far beyond the initial experience. Eventually, if that’s the case, the word “lukewarm” comes to mind (Rev. 3:15-16). And in that undesirable place, the word “sacrifice” never comes up because there isn’t any perceived need for it and certainly no desire to visit the possibility.

In several countries around the world today Christians are, in fact, sacrificing their lives instead of denying their knowledge of and relationship with the Savior Jesus Christ. Not turning away from their Savior in spite of being beaten, burnt, tortured in all kinds of ways yet promised “freedom” if they’ll turn away from the One who gave them life, hope, a blessed eternity. These saints believe their faith, walk their talk. Makes all the prosperity teaching shrivel in comparison. All the cutesy references to having perfect finances, incorruptible marriages, easily remedied addictions, and non-existent seductions into sin, pale and shrink when exposed to REAL faith and REAL sacrifice.

REAL Christianity involves REAL sacrifice. To want to do and complete God’s will in your life might require you to live on the edge of poverty with the bare basics that supply needs, not wants. That’s a sacrifice in this wealthy nation. I thank God for this country—I desire no other. And I am eternally grateful to the Lord for allowing me the privilege of such convenience and comfort. But, lest I get too comfy cozy, I must remember I have a purpose and a vision to reach the lost however I am capable of doing so by the Holy Spirit’s direction. And I know it will require sacrifice. Because without sacrifice, it will just be another exercise in religion. It’ll be easy, and in reality nothing about Christianity is easy. The sacrifice itself was horrid, painful, humiliating, degrading, but ultimately triumphant and astounding. The price was costly.

Why do you think Jesus said to “Count the cost.”? Because in human terms it’s expensive. You surrender your life to God, you give over the use of your every ability to Him for His glory, not your own. All credit for everything good and perfect in your life goes to Him because He’s the One who gave it to you. This is a sacrifice, and it’s only a beginning. How about “sharing in His sufferings” (Romans 8:17)? Don’t really want to hear that, do we? And some of our fellow believers seem to get off easy, don’t they (John 21:21-22)? Or so it seems.

When you leave the sacrifice out of Christianity, you leave the Christ out of the equation. Without Christ, all you have is another “anity”. God’s provision for His people comes in all ways—too vast for us to imagine. He has the grand design. When we give our lives to Him, we sacrifice our preconceived plans and take on His. It isn’t an easy road, folks. But it is the best road, the only road to a perfect destination known as heaven. God created it, and its beauty is beyond the creative limitations of finite minds.

Rarely do we want to discuss the sacrifice involved in Christianity. I don’t think we get it—or perhaps we don’t want to. We want utopia, knowing it won’t happen but doing our level best to make it happen. All that energy and striving for wasted causes. Each one of us has something we haven’t given over to our Lord. We hold on to it, trying to conceal it, laughable as that is. No. He knows. Now perhaps you know. Ready to face up and surrender it to the One who loves you, who promises you care, provision, purpose, hope—but take note, He also promised you trouble in this world. Sin is here. There’s no escaping trouble because of it. How generous that He promises to accompany us through the difficulties—unless of course we turn aside and venture out on our own. It’s always our choice.

Just an afterthought . . . most of the sacrifices come from within. They’re unproductive and lean toward evil character flaws. We would be wise to get rid of them. They aren’t worth what it might cost us to stubbornly hang on to them.

Father, I need your pruning, your refining fire. I love you, and I want all that you have for me. I’m a tough subject, I know. God, help me. Let me open every part of me to you that I may bless you and then others. Jesus, thank you for every day with you, gracious Lord. Holy Spirit, lead me, lead me, lead me, please. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.