Sacrifice on the Altar of Christ

(caption)-We must be the lampstand that illuminates the way to the golden altar of Christ

If we have accepted Christ as our Savior, our life is no longer our own. The bible tells us that we were bought with a price. What price? The life of the only conceived Son of Almighty God. We must sacrifice that old nature each time it manifests itself in our lives. There can only be peace in our lives, if we realize ourselves to be dead in the love of this world and it's bounty. While we do live in this world and many Christians do hold some possessions, these are to be reckoned as only temporary and should not cause us concern if they come or go, we should use whatever the Lord has given us to further the growth of the Kingdom, physical talents, money, etc... .

We should never be seen as being no different than the Lovers of this world. There must be a difference that is easily seen. If we find ourselves blended into the fabric of our society with no light or witness for Christ, we must turn and ask the Father to show us the way to magnify His Son in this world. The first step is sacrificing that old nature, killing it so to speak, upon the altar of our Lord, who gave His life so that we may be able to partake of that life with Him. Jesus said this would not be easy,in fact, He said that it would create a division or hatred by those who love this world, bringing as He put it, "... a sword".

He did not come to bring peace to the physical world of the old nature, but to usher in a new life, one that allows the Kingdom of God to be established within this present age. This Kingdom is established within His true Disciples, and must be made manifest throughout the world, we cannot hide the light that is within us, for we who have been given life and peace within, are responsible for sharing this knowledge and love with those who are still in darkness. The life that we now live is not our own, but His. Christ bought our life as a slave to sin and now gives us a free-will to serve Him, let us not be lazy and unprofitable for Him. There must be fruit in our life, or the tree needs pruning. How can we represent Jesus with no true fruit for this world to eat?

There is coming and in fact is already here, a time for spiritual warfare that will have effect on our very physical lives as believers, but we must endure and overcome until we are called out of this place.

Luke 12:49-53: ⁴⁹ “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ⁵⁰ But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! ⁵¹ Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. ⁵² For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. ⁵³ Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Luke 22:35-37: ³⁵ And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?”

So they said, “Nothing.”
³⁶ Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. ³⁷ For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors. For the things concerning Me have an end.”

The weapons we use are not of this world, but must be used in this world, if we are to be successful. Paul tells us in Ephesians, chapter 6, the following:

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— ¹⁹ and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The time for spiritual warfare is here and been here, but the battle is now heating up, prepare yourselves as believers. Make your sacrifice on the altar of Jesus so that you may begin to prepare your life to war for the souls of men.