Refuse and Rubbish

Did you know that God wants you to offer yourself as a sacrifice? In the Bible a sacrifice was not always burned up. For example, precious metals that were devoted to God were kept and used in the treasury and, from that time forward, used in service to God. They were no longer available for common use. (That’s what got King Belshazzar into trouble. —Daniel 5.)

The Apostle Paul reminded us that we are to offer our bodies to God as a living and holy sacrifice. (Romans 12:1) What that means is that God desires for you to devote your life to Jesus, and that you are no longer suitable for common use.

To punctuate this idea consider the Old Testament animal sacrifices. I want to draw your attention to one of the ugly tasks often involved. When a bull was killed and offered for the consecration of the priests not all of the animal was burned on the altar.

But the flesh of the bull and its hide and its refuse, you shall burn with fire outside the camp; it is a sin offering. 

 —Exodus 29:13

Similar instruction applied to other offerings.

So, not all of the animal was suitable for the sacrifice. Some parts of the animal simply had to be taken outside the Israelite encampment and destroyed.

When we think about God’s expectation for us, we understand that He wants our whole life. Yet, when you think about it, there are some things in our lives that are simply not suitable as a sacrifice to God. These are what you might call the refuse of our lives.

As an example, God has no use for man’s pride. We cannot offer pride to God and ask him to use it for his glory. Pride elevates man by supposing that man is wiser than God and His word. So, pride is something that could be called refuse. It simply needs to be eliminated.

A person might have bad habits. I’m not thinking about belching in public, rather, bad habits that interfere with one’s spiritual well being. For example, sleeping in on Sunday or staying home when relatives visit instead of making fellowship with Christians a priority is a bad habit.

Other refuse might include ungodly attitudes, prejudices and any other kind of sin. In our day people sometimes make light of sin. They laugh about sinful pleasures, as if sin will bring joy into one’s life. Others would never admit to sin, but protect it by hiding it (secret sin). In whatever way it is worded, sin in one’s life cannot possibly be offered to God as a sacrifice. Sin of all kinds is refuse that must be eliminated.

We also need to have the right attitude toward the things of this life that are not refuse. A person can offer his education, job, house, money, etc. as a sacrifice to God by using these things for God’s glory and in advancing the kingdom of God. And yet, love of these things can stand in the way of following Jesus.

The rich young ruler had wealth in property. It stood in the way of following Jesus (Matthew 19). To deal with the things of this world the Apostle Paul adopted a life-changing attitude. In comparison to the surpassing value of knowing Christ, he considered the achievements and things of value in this life as rubbish, that is, suitable only to be flushed. (Philippians 3:1-8)

We must adopt a proper attitude toward the things of this life. Let’s resolve to eliminate the refuse, and to view the rubbish for what it’s worth. Then our sacrificial offering of ourselves to God will be accepted. 

Be cleansed. 

Be pure.

Mark Stinnett
January 15, 2023