A Living Sacrifice

 "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."  This quote always brings me to the brink of tears.  It was made by a man who gave all, literally, for the cause of the gospel.  If you are not familiar with Jim Elliot's story, here is a very brief synopsis.  

Jim was a missionary to Ecuador in the 1950's.  He and his co-workers spent years learning the language and ministering to the people. One day they flew to an area that had not been reached by the gospel.  In fact, these Auca Indians had not even seen white men prior to these missionaries' arrival in Ecuador.  Jim and the others had spent months dropping gifts by plane into this area in an effort to gain the trust of these violent tribes.  There had been signs that these people would be willing to meet them in person.   However, something went wrong and the five missionary men were killed that day in January of 1956.  They gave all. 

Their story does not end on that beach in the jungle of Ecuador, however.  Jim's wife, Elisabeth, as well as the sister of Nate Saint (one of Jim's co-workers who was also martyred on that day) returned to Ecuador to continue the work God had called them to do.  They actually moved to an Auca village and many Aucas came to know Jesus -- including at least one of the group who killed the five missionaries. Tertullian , one of the early church fathers, is quoted as saying, " The blood of the martyrs is seed for the church."  If we study those who have given their lives for the cause of Christ, we see the church grow stronger in faith and in numbers.  God is faithful to His people, and their deaths are never in vain.  

God does not ask all of us to give our lives, literally, for the cause of the Gospel.  The question is, though, are we willing to?  If we are so dedicated to a cause that we are willing to die for it, how does that change our day-to-day actions and priorities?  

Romans 12:1 tells us: 

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.

If we are living every day, every moment, as a living sacrifice, we will be prepared to give all for the gospel of Jesus.  I do not wish that we are faced with a situation where our very life blood is called for.  However, I do pray that God brings each of us to the point that we are daily sacrificing our worldly wants and desires for the cause of the spreading Jesus to a world heading for eternal death.  Those around us are dying!  We have a message of eternal life!  Let's make that message our life's purpose.  Sharing the gospel message is simple and full of hope.  There is no greater cause. This is our true and proper worship.  

💓Heather Sparks💓