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The Sacrifice Acceptable and Pleasing to God

Having in full now, all and over and above, I am filled up, taking into hand from Epaphroditus that you, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable, pleasing to God.*

What is the gift Paul writes about receiving from the Philippian church? Paul writes that he has become content in all things, having known abundance and having known need, he is more than supplied in all things by God. It is such a blessing to know of such strength in Christ, regardless of the need and circumstances. Even in the circumstances like that of Paul who writes from jail, he is content and strengthened in Christ. Think about it, Paul is in jail when writing this letter, and he was rejoicing. Surely, he can't work with his hands to provide for his needs as he had supported himself and his ministry through tent making. Many did not join him in giving and receiving but now, the Philippians had. So what need does he have in prison that would require a monetary gift? What is the fragrant offering, the sacrifice, acceptable, pleasing to God? But to present a Church that is pure and holy, this is acceptable and pleasing to God.

For I am devoted to you, a noble aspiration of God, for I promised you as one mature to Christ, presenting you holy, a pure maiden.*

What was the gift Paul had boasted to others about and desired to come in person to finally receive from the Corinthian church, the gift they had promised?*  It was something Paul had promised Christ, to present the church as a pure virgin bride, speaking in human understanding of purity. Is this not also what Paul took in hand from the Philippian church? "taking into hand... that you, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice, acceptable, pleasing to God."* Yes, this is the gift Paul was desiring to receive; a mature church. This is the whole point of God having a holy people of His own possession, a family and household of God that shares in His holy character, being partakers of His divine nature. What sacrifice does God require of you?

present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, this is your reasonable service.*

It is the high calling, destiny, purpose of the child of God; to grow up into their salvation, to become holy, and pure like Jesus. Paul writes to this church, "press on toward the goal of the prize of the high call of God in Christ Jesus, therefore those mature take this mindset..."* Maturity, which is purity, which is holiness, is the gift that Paul desires from the Philippians. The high call to maturity is the reasonable service unto holiness. If I am called to heaven then I am called to holiness, "but according to the one calling you, holy also become you, become holy in all your conduct. For it is written. exist holy because I am holy"* Holiness leads to transformation, renewing of the mind, to the extent you  approve the will of God, that good and acceptable and perfect."* Without holiness one will not behold the Lord.* Without entering this reasonable service and high calling one will not experience transformation thus the mind will not discern nor approve of God's will. Can we as a church neglect such a calling?

"I hate, I despise your festive gatherings,
and I take no delight in your assemblies.
Even though you offer me your offerings,
I will not accept them;
and your peace offerings,
I will not look upon them.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your instruments I will not listen.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."*

Oh, children of God what is desired is the fruit of righteousness. Has the Lord great delight in offerings and sacrifices over obeying Him?* Does not he desire steadfast love over sacrifice and the knowledge of God over offerings?* Is not the knowledge of God revealed through the Son? Is not the sacrifices God desires a poor spirit and a broken and contrite heart?* Is not to do righteousness and justice more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice?* "And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole offerings and sacrifices.”* Do you believe this? then "Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”*

 On which account coming into the world saying 'sacrifice and offering you do not desire, now, a body prepared for me.'*

God did not take pleasure in offerings and sacrifice, it was written in the book about Jesus that he came to do the will of God. A body prepared to do His will. How? Jesus received the Holy Spirit and consecrated himself in the words of the Father. In the new covenant we are sanctified in Spirit through the offering of Christ.* And we are called to become holy like He is holy, "for God of peace himself sanctifies you completely and may your spirit, soul, and body be perfected, whole, and blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."* Truly if I am born of God having received the gift of righteousness and I will grow up to bear fruit of righteousness. Should not this be the goal of the one who claims to serve and sacrifice for God? To present the body a living sacrifice to do his will? Is this not what God desired from Jesus? And is this not what God desires from us? Is there a better sacrifice and offering? Is there a higher calling? A higher form of worship to God? And without entering this reasonable service of presenting the body a living sacrifice unto holiness, there will be no transformation, and without transformation how can one know and do His will? So we pray, let us present to you the sacrifice acceptable and pleasing, then we can truly say we have come to do your will.

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