Choose Your Sacrifice Now

We live in a world that says, "Why sacrifice? Take what you want. Live for now." But there is no such thing as a life without sacrifice. You either make a sacrifice of choice, or you face a sacrifice of consequence. Refuse to sacrifice time to study, and you may sacrifice future opportunities. Refuse to sacrifice unhealthy habits, and you may sacrifice your health. Refuse to sacrifice pride, and you may sacrifice relationships. The Bible begins with exactly this choice. Adam and Eve had almost everything, but God asked them to surrender one desire. They refused the sacrifice of obedience and experienced the far greater sacrifice of consequence. Jesus shows us another way. He said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24) And Jesus didn't merely teach sacrifice – He became the ultimate example of it. In Gethsemane He prayed: "Not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42) Then He gave everything, even His life. Christianity isn't about avoiding sacrifice – it is about deciding what is worth sacrificing for. Paul says: "Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice." (Romans 12:1) So what are you refusing to surrender today? Your will? Your possessions? Your pride? Your time? Sooner or later, something will be sacrificed. The question is whether you will choose it, or whether consequence will choose it for you. (Craig B). Open Bible – bit.ly/Mat16v24, bit.ly/luk22v42, bit.ly/rom12v1