“When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.” – Malachi 1:8
Christian, God is asking you a profoundly important question!!! You might not realize it since we thankfully don’t have to offer animals as sacrifices. God gave Jesus as our once-for-all sacrifice of blood to atone for our sins and we praise Him for that. Nonetheless, this question is vitally relevant to your spiritual life and growth! Why? Because we’re commanded to make sacrifices as well. Though these sacrifices won’t save us, they reflect the glorious reality that we have been saved by God’s grace. Therefore, we’re commanded to offer a continuous sacrifice of praise to God (Hebrews 13:5). We’re also commanded to offer up our entire lives to God as sacrifices, living lives of holiness and devotion to the Lord (Romans 12:1). If we aren’t doing that – if we’re just giving God scraps of our time, treasure, talent, and energy, if we’re offering Him leftovers, garbage time, halfhearted and sleepy worship, and lives that aren’t particularly concerned with holiness, then we’re like those Israelites who were offering up blind, lame, and sick animals instead of giving God the very best. Such “sacrifices” are evil!
December is an excellent time of year to assess the patterns of your life. Have you been giving God at least the same amount of time, energy, creativity, and devotion that would please your boss, satisfy your teacher or professor, or support your favorite political leader? You should be giving more! If you aren’t giving God your absolute best, your utmost for His highest, it’s time to reflect on the disobedience of that and commit your whole life – heart, soul, mind, and strength to loving, worshiping, praising, and serving God. May your sacrifice to Him be pleasing and worthy of the God Who has redeemed you, adopted you, embraced you, indwelt you, and empowered you!