What is an acceptable sacrifice to God?
English: Jesus Christ - detail from Deesis mosaic, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house , an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ ." ( 1 Peter 2:5 ) Our text instructs us that we, as a corporate church and as individuals, are designed for the purpose of offering up acceptable sacrifices to God. These are not animal sacrifices as before, but "spiritual" sacrifices, made "acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." What kinds of spiritual sacrifices are acceptable? Prayer: An amazing scene is recorded for us in heaven, for an angel is seen at the altar offering up to God incense mingled with "the prayers of the saints" ( Revelation 8:4 , see also 5:8 ). Our prayers are precious to Him. Giving: The use of our financial resources for the furtherance of His kingdom becomes "an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, w