“God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24)
In Old Testament times, under the law given to Israel through Moses, it was proper to present offerings of cattle, grains or other produce, to remain in harmony with the LORD.
But the LORD has no need for our material goods. He tells us in Psalm 50:10 and 12: “For every beast of the forest is Mine and the cattle on a thousand hills…For the world is Mine and all its fullness.” Yet He is pleased when we use what we have in service to Him. God desires us to do good and share what we have learned of his wonderful plan of salvation for all.
The tabernacle sacrifices, the blood of bulls and goats, cannot take away sin. Only the sacrificial life of Jesus can do that. Jesus said…”I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) So if we come to Jesus, our heavenly Father is clear as to what is acceptable to him as an offering of love. “My Son give me your heart…” (Proverbs 23:26)
To give God our hearts means to consecrate our hearts, our lives and wills in sacrifice to obey God’s will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV), “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters (these are already believers in Jesus but they have yet to give their lives to God), in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship.”
How do we offer ourselves when consecrated to God? Romans 12:2 (NIV), “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
For those of mankind who have not yet come to Christ, the prophet Micah wrote, “He has shown you O man what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) Those who do this will have a much easier experience learning righteousness in the kingdom.
