Are You Willing To Be Offered?

In light of everything that Christ was willing to do for them, Philippians 2:12-18 explains how Christians ought to live. The directive to “work out” salvation is to let the new birth in Christ manifest itself in one’s actions. Believers should serve God without complaining or griping as part of this. Despite the fact that this is simply yet another form of offering, Paul is aware that his service to God has been challenging. The same kind of selfless service is required of all Christians. But we are going to look at verse seventeen.

Oswald Chambers wrote:

“Are you willing to be offered for the work of the faithful - to pour out your life blood as a libation on the sacrifice of the faith of others? It is one thing to go on the lonely way with dignified heroism, but quite another thing if the line mapped out for you by God means being a doormat under other people's feet.”

Paul was satisfied knowing that, if he had to die, he had helped the Philippians to live for Christ. This alludes to the Old Testament practice of pouring a -savor offering love (Numbers 15:1-10; 28:1-8). A priest would serve wine at the altar after sacrificing a bull, ram, or lamb. This represented a person's devotion to God as worship. At the point that we are completely dedicated to serving Christ, sacrificing for others faith should be looked upon as a reward.

• Romans 15:16, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

Are todays Christians also content with that fact? Are we truly willing to suffer the pain of death, knowing we had helped others in their journey to or with Christ? I'm not saying that we have to, but what are we willing to give up?

• Genesis 35:14, And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured the oil thereon.

Here Jacob was showing the highest respect to where he met God. God had just changed his name to Israel. The drink offering was poured onto a sacrificial animal that had been placed on an altar fire and burned. During the burning, expensive anointing oil and wine were poured over the sacrificial offering making a “sweet smelling savor” unto God. (Anointing oil was expensive)

Pouring out of a drink offering typifies Christ’ blood spilt on the cross. Christ took the cup of wine. And when Jesus died on the cross, Jesus had fulfilled the need for a drink offering.

• Luke 22:20, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

• John 19:34, But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

Twice, Paul used the pouring out of a drink offering as he recounted his service for God. Here he is challenging the Philippians to live faithfully, and again in 2 Timothy 4:6, as he neared the end of his ministry.

• Colossians 1:24, Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church.

• 2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.,

Paul is saying suffering is unavoidable when spreading th Gospel of Jesus. We suffer because Christ suffered. However, it can be endured because it brings people to God. Some people avoid pain. But Christians should be prepared and willing to do God’s will. When we suffer for Christ, our true values will show. Suffer for doing what is right, faithfully obey, and break free from sin.

• 1 Peter 4:1, Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.

We are to shine like lights in a shadowy world. And to do that, we may have to be offered up for the sake of others.