In Matthew Chapter 12, Jesus rebuked the pharisees perfectly by telling them God desires mercy, not sacrifice. It's brilliant really, which I guess I shouldn't be surprised by because it is Jesus talking after all. It's brilliant, though, because of the implications this has for performingly religious people.
Just speaking for myself, I am naturally prone to want sacrifice from others. What I mean is: I want them to perform to get my approval. Sacrificing their time to serve me. Sacrificing thier differences in personality. Sacrificing something to show themselves worthy of my respect. Yeah, I know I suck...but if you think that I suck are you desiring me to sacrifice to get your approval? (I'm just sayin'...)
This idea is really a plague in our world. In all religions and demographics people require performance (AKA sacrifice) for approval. Think about when you see some rich guy walk by... what's your first thought? Do you require something from that guy to give your approval to him? Maybe him to share his wealth? Or think about the beggar at the traffic light. 'Nough said, right? Or, if you were a Muslim, looking at a Non-muslim what would you tell them they had to perform to be in the good graces of Allah?
When we Christians are in the mind set of earning approval (making sacrifices), or making other's make sacrifices to get closer to God, there is no difference between this kind of Christian religion and the other world religions.
Thankfully, that is not true Christianity.
Hosea 6:6, "For I desire steadfast [mercy] and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."
Psalm 51:16-17, "For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Matthew 12:7, "And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.
John 6:28-29, "Then they said to him, 'What must we do, to be doing the works of God?' Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.'"
Here is true Christianity: our righteousness comes from Christ, because there is where God's mercy is most found, in his performance. It must be this way. If I think I can perform to bring me closer to God, I am really saying this action of performance will bribe God to overlook the transgression for which I am responsible. God is Just and must punish that transgression, and either I face that punishment, or I faith in Jesus' work of mercy on the cross.
How does this apply to my life? I need not be critical of others, for they are on their own journey and God is doing a work in their lives. Katie, my wife, Alex Kate, my daughter, and Spero, my son, don't have to preform to receive God's grace, nor should they perform to receive mine. My Christian family doesn't have to be perfect. They don't have to act like me, dress like me, or watch UFC.
Here is the main point: If I see God as making me and others sacrifice to get closer to him; I will also make people sacrifice to get closer to me. This is the way the world works... I hate the world; I love Jesus, and he loves me. Performance-less, perfect, Gracious, overlooking love.
Lord Christ, help me love like you and give much mercy, not sacrifice.
