Justice is Carried Upon the
Shoulders of Sacrifice…
Justice is carried upon the shoulders of sacrifice. Justice cannot be carried forth apart from sacrifice. Or in less desirable terms, justice cannot be ministered apart from death. The cross extends to the world the justice of God, redeeming the damnable outworking's of mankind. Through the sacrifice of one man, the glorious life of God is laid bare for the world to receive. He breathed His last, that we might have a chance to breath the eternal breath of resurrection life.
Therefore the
courageous, inextinguishable, glorious light of the gospel shines forth through
living sacrifice. Now, that Christ is seated at the right hand of His Father in
triumphant glory, who will be the living sacrifice that extends the gospel? It
is the sons and daughters of God who are called to become the living sacrifices.
If the sons and daughters of God would rise to their rightful place as sacrificial
servants they would loose the justice of heaven upon the earth. Men would once
again cry aloud for a savior and be saved. The spirit of the Fear of God would
once again rest on the church. The blind would see, the lame walk and the deaf
hear. And hell itself will not stop the love of God if His people would dare to
be like their Savior and take up their cross and follow Him.
We are therefore now called to
extend the light of the gospel on the shoulders of sacrifice. Whose shoulders?
Whoever is willing to live and die for the King of all Glory?
What
is the sacrifice? What did Christ sacrifice? The sacrifice is the death of self
for the sake of love. This is the pure Gospel, unfiltered and unadulterated. Sacrifice
motivated by love is the fire of the gospel. It is the fire that will once
again turn the world upside-down, the fire that cannot be quenched and
illuminates the Glory of Christ. The
gates of hell shall not prevail against such a blazing fire as the pure gospel
of love.
No
matter how minute or lavish the sacrifice, if done with a pure heart, it breaks
the powers of darkness and demolishes strongholds, exalting Jesus. Whether a cup of cold water is given to one in
thirst, or someone simply prefers another above himself, both the cup of water
and the preference of another carry the light and glory of the Gospel of
Christ.
Justice
shines forth through the ministers of love. Crucifixion of selfish motives and
actions for the sake of another person is the living power of love that cannot
be restrained. How far will this love go? The love of God traverses the narrow
path to death and back again. Love never fails.
To
proclaim, teach, or even worse, live any other gospel than the gospel of
sacrifice perverts and dilutes the triumphant work of the cross. We cheapen the
blood of Christ and dishonor the slain lamb when we proclaim Christianity and
live a lifestyle contrary to sacrifice. Those pouring out their life unto death
carry the fragrance of the gospel wherever they go. Deny yourself and love
another, this is the way of Christ at all times. Any motive or action other
than this comes from the spirit of the world. And the works of the world will be
paid in full, burned in the wrath of God, considered wood hay and stubble. But
the eternal works of love are precious like gold and silver that are refined in
the fire.
In
this hour there is long awaited cry from heaven. It is cry for revolution. The
trumpet blast has not been sounded for a revolution in Government, neither the
economy, or religious institutions. Rather, the roar from heaven is calling for
a revolution of sacrifice. The call is to those who call themselves the sons
and daughters of God. “Repent and turn from any other gospel than the Gospel of
sacrifice.”
“Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3).
It is
the Gospel of pure love, sacrificial love that plows forth resurrection power,
a highway for God that glorifies Christ and His church.
What is
it that stands in the way of you living for the gospel? Really, there is simply
one thing. That thing is you. Stop hindering the Gospel of Jesus! Smash your
idols, and live for God! Revolution is at hand, where will you stand? Sit with
Christ who is seated in heavenly places because he laid down his life for many.
Awake you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light
(Ephesians 5:14).
