You glance through the window of the shoe store at a pair of sandals that are to die for. With Summer just around the corner, you feel like you got to have them. You can already picture wearing them with certain outfits and know it’s a good look…and to top it off, they’re on sale.
But you’ve spent all that you have for shopping. And even though they’re on sale you’re on a budget, every penny you have is accounted for. But you want those sandals! They’re calling your name. You don’t budge from that spot, your feet feels like they’re glued to the floor. What do you do?
Do you get them knowing it’s not feasible right now? You reason with yourself. You decide to get them but you know you have to give up something to be able to get those sandals…but what?
It’s the same with becoming a Christian. If you truly accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you’re going to make some sacrifices…some changes. There’s something that takes place within you that requires it.
The good news though is that with Christ all things are possible, whatever it may be. Even change. But just like with those sandals, you really have to want it. You have to have a made up mind that this is what you want. And you have to have faith and believe it will happen.
Here’s an example.
If you want a leaner, healthier body and you don’t eat healthy or exercise, you have to change your eating habits and begin an exercise regiment. You have to have a made up mind. You can’t continue to eat ice cream, burgers and fries and all types of sweets and expect to get a leaner, healthier body.
Just like you have to change your eating habits, you have to exercise regularly and you have to set aside the time to do this. Whether it’s time or your favorite food, you got to make a sacrifice.
What is Sacrifice?
Sacrifice is something you give up for the sake of a better cause. Parents sacrifice time and sleep to take care of their children. Similarly children even make sacrifices.
They learn at an early age that if there’s something they want to do they have to make a sacrifice. If they want to hang out with friends whether to play, go to the mall or to a movie, they have to make a sacrifice and have their chores done. Or whatever it is their parents want them to do.
The same holds true for being a Christian.
When you decide to become a Christian you want to please God. That requires changes in your life. It requires discipline and sacrifice. You have to read the word to learn what’s required of you as a believer and a child of God.
You must also find a church home where you can commune with like minded people and hear the word taught on a regular basis by a pastor-teacher. He or she helps you to understand parts of the bible that’s not easily comprehended of discerned. So you will sacrifice the time to go to church and once you learn of Christ’s love for you, you will sacrifice other aspects of your life as well.
John 12:26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
It’s not like you’re being punished or anything, it’s that you want to please him. And once you let him into your heart the Holy Spirit will let you know when you’re pleasing him and when you’re not.
You will enjoy going to church. It’s like a pep rally for saints that helps you to prepare for the upcoming week. You usually leave on fire for God and you want to learn all that you can and want to help in any way you can.
You’ll have the peace and joy that comes with knowing Christ and you want to please him. It’s something that’s unexplainable and unique to every person, and once you truly have it you don’t want to go back.
Others will start to see the difference in you. You may even get compliments about how you’ve changed and how you’re an inspiration. You recognize it in yourself and you want to spend more time learning and getting to know Christ.
So whether through time or service, what sacrifice have you done? What changes have you made?
The peace that comes from knowing Christ defies all understanding and you continue to seek him diligently. It’s a sacrifice and you don’t mind it one bit.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
