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Many people read Luke 1 and assume that Mary’s greatest honor was giving birth to Jesus. While that’s true in part, Scripture reveals something deeper. The grace God gave Mary was not simply to bear Christ, but to believe His Word.

1. The Angel’s Words: Mary Found Favor with God

“And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’”
(Luke 1:28–30)

The word “favor” here in Greek is charis, which is the same word translated elsewhere as “grace.” This means Mary was graced by God, not because of her own merit, but because of God’s sovereign choice.

But notice something important: Mary was not told she received grace because she would bear Jesus; rather, she received grace so that she could believe God’s Word about bearing Jesus.

2. Mary’s Belief vs. Zechariah’s Doubt

Compare Mary’s response with that of Zechariah, who was also visited by the angel Gabriel.

Zechariah, a priest, was told his wife Elizabeth would bear a son (John the Baptist). Unlike Mary, he doubted:

“And Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.’”
(Luke 1:18)

Gabriel responded:

“Behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words…”
(Luke 1:20)

This shows us something key: Zechariah heard a less miraculous message, yet still doubted. Mary heard a far more impossible message, yet believed.

3. True Grace Enables True Faith

Grace is more than unmerited favor—it is divine empowerment. Paul reminds us:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”
(Ephesians 2:8)

Mary’s faith wasn’t just her own—it was a gift of grace. Her belief in the miraculous conception wasn’t natural—it was spiritual.

4. Why Mary? God Gives Grace to the Humble

Mary’s unique qualification was her humility. She said:

“For he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.”
(Luke 1:48)

This aligns with what the Bible teaches:

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
(1 Peter 5:5)

Mary’s lowly position and humble heart positioned her to receive God’s greatest favor. Not just in womb, but in heart, she carried the Word.

5. Parallel with the Widow of Zarephath

Jesus referenced this in Luke 4:25–26, showing how God’s provision often goes to those outside the expected circle—those with faith and humility:

“But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel… and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.”
(Luke 4:25–26)

Just like Mary, the widow believed the Word of God through the prophet—even when it seemed unreasonable (1 Kings 17:8–16).

6. What Can We Learn?

Mary’s story teaches us that God grants grace not to the most religious or powerful—but to the humble who believe.

• Want grace to walk in God’s calling? Be humble.
• Want faith to believe the impossible? Stay low before God.
• Want to do great things? Start with obedience in small things.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”
(1 Peter 5:6)

A Call to Humble Faith

Mary’s greatness was not her status—it was her heart. A quiet, prayerful, obedient young woman became the vessel of the Savior, not because she was perfect, but because she believed.

As we wait for Christ’s return, may we seek this same grace:
Grace to believe, grace to obey, grace to be humble.

Lord, make us like Mary. Help us walk in the grace to believe Your Word, and give us hearts that remain low before You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105

May the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be praised.

As we grow in our faith, we must always remember this vital truth: God’s Word, the Bible, is the most complete and reliable revelation of His will. While dreams, visions, and personal revelations may occur—and may even come from God—they are not sufficient on their own. They must always be tested and grounded in Scripture.

1. The Example of Pilate’s Wife: A True Dream but Incomplete Revelation

Before Jesus was crucified, Pilate’s wife had a disturbing dream warning her husband not to be involved in Jesus’s death. The Bible records:

Matthew 27:19 

“While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘Don’t have anything to do with innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.’”

This dream clearly testified to Jesus’s innocence and righteousness. It’s logical to conclude that this dream came from God because Satan would never affirm Christ’s righteousness or work against the crucifixion plan (John 8:44).

However, we must ask: if the dream was from God and showed Jesus shouldn’t be crucified, does that contradict the divine plan for Christ to die and rise again?

Absolutely not. God never contradicts Himself. The dream was true, but not complete.

2. The Full Revelation: Found in the Word

Luke 9:22

“And he said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.’”

This was God’s redemptive plan all along. Christ, though innocent, had to die for our sins:

Isaiah 53:5

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Pilate’s wife saw one side of the truth—Jesus was innocent—but without the context of Scripture, she couldn’t see the redemptive purpose behind His suffering. This is why we must interpret all spiritual experiences in the light of the Word.

3. Scripture Over Dreams

The prophet Jeremiah makes a profound comparison between dreams and the Word of God:

Jeremiah 23:28–29

“Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”

Note: Straw (dreams) is lightweight and cannot sustain life; grain (the Word) is nourishing and life-giving. Dreams can reveal partial truth, but only God’s Word reveals saving truth (Romans 10:17).

4. Be Grounded in the Word

Perhaps you’ve had dreams or spiritual experiences that seem to indicate you’re on the right path. Maybe you’ve dreamed of going to heaven. But are you living in holiness? Or are you still trapped in sin—lying, sexual immorality, hatred, or drunkenness?

Galatians 5:19–21

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity… envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Even if an angel in your dream says you’re approved by God, if you’re living contrary to the Word, the dream is incomplete or misleading. God’s truth never changes. Only the Word defines the standards for eternal life.

5. Final Judgment is Based on the Word, Not Dreams

John 12:48

“There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”

Dreams, visions, and prophecies will not be the basis of final judgment—God’s Word will.

6. Let the Word Complete Your Revelation

Pilate’s wife had a real dream from God, but she lacked the full picture because she didn’t have the Word. Let that not be our case.

• Read and study the entire Bible—not just portions.
• Submit your dreams and revelations to Scriptural testing (1 John 4:1).
• Learn the teachings and life of Jesus.
• Be led by the Holy Spirit not only in dreams but in understanding Scripture (John 16:13).

2 Timothy 3:16–17

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Spend time in the Word. Ground your spiritual experiences in the truth of Scripture. Then your visions and revelations will not be straw, but solid grain.

May the Lord bless you richly.

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For example, if I’m a Christian with financial means and someone asks me to help build a mosque, is it okay to do that?

Answer: Helping others in need is a good and biblical practice, especially when it reflects God’s love and compassion. The Bible encourages generosity and kindness toward all people, regardless of their background or faith. For example, Galatians 6:10

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
This means we should help others whenever we can, but our primary responsibility is toward fellow believers.

If you are asked to support things like building schools, feeding the hungry, or caring for the elderly—even those of different faiths—this can be a way to demonstrate Christ’s love and be a witness to them. Such acts do not conflict with Scripture.

However, when it comes to supporting the construction of places of worship for other religions, the situation changes. Scripture teaches that God alone is to be worshiped, and we are not to participate in the worship of other gods. Exodus 20:3 commands, “You shall have no other gods before me.”
Also, 1 Corinthians 10:21  warns,

“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.”

This means there is a spiritual exclusivity in our worship and offerings. Financially supporting altars or places dedicated to other gods can be seen as participating in their worship, which the Bible forbids.

The connection between offerings and altar worship is deeply spiritual. Matthew 6:2

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Our giving reflects our true loyalty and affection. We cannot fully belong to Christ and simultaneously support other religious systems without compromising our faith. This is considered spiritual adultery, as warned in James 4:4

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?”

Moreover, God is described as a jealous God;

Exodus 34:14

“Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

He desires our exclusive devotion, and this extends to how we use our resources.

As Christians, we should refrain from financially contributing to the building of worship places for other religions. If asked why, you can explain simply, “My faith teaches me to worship only God through Jesus Christ, and therefore I cannot support other religions.”

May God bless you as you stand firm in your faith.

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At first glance, it can seem strange that an omniscient (all-knowing) God would ask questions or appear to investigate matters. Take, for example, the story of Cain and Abel. After Cain kills his brother, God asks:

“Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?’”
— Genesis 4:9

We naturally wonder—why would God ask this if He already knew what had happened?

This is not a case of ignorance, but of divine condescension—God choosing to interact with humans in ways they can understand. This is what theologians call anthropopathism—when God expresses Himself with human emotions or reasoning for our sake.

Rather than immediately accusing Cain, God gives him the opportunity to confess and reflect. This is consistent with God’s graceful character and His desire for repentance rather than condemnation (2 Peter 3:9).

God’s Humility in Dialogue

Throughout Scripture, we find that God often allows room for human interaction—even persuasion. A striking example is in God’s conversation with Moses after Israel’s rebellion:

“Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them… But Moses implored the Lord his God and said, ‘O Lord… turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people.’… And the Lord relented from the disaster…”
— Exodus 32:10–14 (excerpted)

Did God need Moses’ advice? No. But He allowed Moses to intercede as a picture of Christ’s future role as our intercessor (Hebrews 7:25). This also reveals God’s willingness to engage relationally with humanity.

This behavior demonstrates what theologians call relational theism—the idea that God’s sovereignty includes real, responsive interaction with His creation.

God Investigates — Not Because He Doesn’t Know, But to Show Justice

Another example is when God decided to investigate Sodom and Gomorrah before destroying them:

“Then the Lord said, ‘Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great… I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.’”
— Genesis 18:20–21

God is not ignorant here. Rather, He is showing that His judgment is measured, righteous, and justifiable. He models due process—an important theme in biblical justice. This transparency in divine action encourages our trust in His fairness.

The Ultimate Humbling: God in Flesh

God’s humility is most powerfully displayed in the Incarnation—God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ:

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself… being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
— Philippians 2:5–8

This is the mystery of kenosis—Christ “emptying Himself,” not by losing divinity, but by laying aside His privileges. He chose to suffer, learn, weep, and even die. Why? So we could never say, “God doesn’t understand my pain.”

The author of Hebrews affirms this:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
— Hebrews 4:15

Jesus experienced poverty (Matthew 8:20), rejection (John 1:11), temptation (Matthew 4:1–11), betrayal, and death—so that He could be our perfect Savior and sympathetic Lord.

“Weakness” That Saves the World

To the world, this kind of humility may seem foolish, even weak. But Scripture flips that thinking:

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:25

God’s willingness to appear “weak” is exactly what made our redemption possible. His death brought life. His “defeat” at the cross secured our victory over sin and death.

What Does This Teach Us?

God’s humility isn’t just a theological concept—it’s an example for us. We are called to imitate the same attitude:

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves… Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…”
— Philippians 2:3, 5

We are not just saved by humility—we are called to humility.

“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”
— 1 Peter 5:5

God’s “questions,” His “investigations,” and His willingness to engage with us in seemingly human ways—all reveal His loving and humble heart. He’s not distant or removed. He stepped into our story, became one of us, and bore the worst of human suffering to rescue us.

Let’s learn from His example: true strength lies in humility.

Come, Lord Jesus!
(Revelation 22:20)

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Let’s begin by reading the full context:

Hebrews 6:4–6
“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age
and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”

❗What Is This Passage Really Saying?

This passage refers to a specific category of people:

• They have received spiritual light (enlightened),
• Tasted the heavenly gift (salvation),
• Shared in the Holy Spirit,
• Experienced the power of God’s Word and the age to come.

In other words, these are genuine believers who have had a deep encounter with the truth of the gospel—not merely casual followers.

But then, the warning comes:
If such people deliberately turn away from Christ and return to a life of rebellion, it becomes impossible to renew them again to repentance.

🧠 Theological Explanation:

This does not mean that God is unwilling to forgive.
Rather, it means that the capacity or desire to repent becomes lost.

Why?

Because repentance is not merely a human decision.
It is a work of the Holy Spirit, who brings conviction, sorrow for sin, and the will to turn back to God.

John 6:44
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them…”

John 16:8
“When he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.”

If someone grieves or rejects the Spirit repeatedly, He may withdraw—and once that happens, the heart becomes hardened. Without the Spirit’s influence, true repentance is no longer possible.

This is in line with Reformed theology, especially the doctrines of effectual calling and perseverance of the saints. While believers cannot lose salvation lightly, this passage warns that those who willfully apostatize after full knowledge are revealing they were never truly regenerate (see 1 John 2:19) or are crossing a spiritual line beyond which recovery is humanly impossible.

🛑 Why This Is a Serious Warning for Believers

This isn’t addressing people who struggle with sin or fall occasionally.
It’s directed at those who have:

• Fully embraced the truth,
• And then consciously reject Christ and return to a life of sin.

1 Corinthians 10:12
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

2 Peter 2:20–22
“If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning… A dog returns to its vomit, and, A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”

These scriptures show that turning back to sin after fully knowing Christ brings greater condemnation and spiritual ruin.

💡 What If You’re Drifting Right Now?

If you’re reading this and realize you’ve started returning to old sins—even after experiencing God’s grace—take this message seriously.

If you still feel conviction, sorrow, or fear after hearing this—that’s a sign that grace has not left you yet.
The Holy Spirit is still working in you. But this is a warning: if you continue to resist His voice, you risk reaching a point of no return.

Hebrews 3:15
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”

✅ So What Should You Do?

1. Don’t take conviction lightly.
   That internal fear or discomfort is a gift—it shows God is still calling you.
2. Repent sincerely.
   If you’ve gone back to old sins like sexual immorality, drunkenness, dishonesty, hatred, or addiction—turn away from them now.
3. Return to Christ while there is still time.

Isaiah 55:6–7
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.”

🕊️ Final Thought:

Hebrews 6:6 is a wake-up call—not to make us despair, but to urge us to take our salvation seriously.
The same God who saves is also the God who warns. If we ignore His call today, there may come a time when we can no longer hear Him at all.

May the Lord give us hearts that remain soft to His voice.
The Lord is coming!

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The Bible teaches that everything has its proper season and timing.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says:

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”

This means that while you may earnestly desire something, it won’t happen unless it’s the right time — the season that God has ordained.

For instance, no matter how much water or fertilizer you give a mango tree, if it’s not the season for it to bear fruit, it simply won’t. But when the season arrives, even with minimal effort, the tree naturally produces fruit.

Why?
Because timing matters, even in spiritual things.

The Season of Grace

Just like physical seasons, spiritual blessings also operate within God-ordained seasons. One of these blessings is the grace of salvation.

Many assume that the grace of salvation is always available and eternal, but Scripture teaches otherwise. Grace is offered during a specific period — the acceptable time — and outside of that time, it is not accessible.

Before Jesus came into the world, people could not fully receive the forgiveness of sins. Their sins were covered temporarily through sacrifices, but never fully removed.

Hebrews 10:1-4explains:

“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come… it can never, by the same sacrifices… make perfect those who draw near… For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

Even great figures like Moses, David, and Elijah had their sins covered, not forgiven in the full sense. Their righteousness was counted by faith, but they did not live in the dispensation of grace.

This wasn’t because they didn’t pray enough or weren’t devoted. Elijah, for example, is described as a man who prayed fervently:

James 5:17

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly…”

Still, they could not access the grace we now have.

Why not?
Because it wasn’t yet the season for grace to be revealed.

The New Season Begins

Everything changed when Jesus came.

John 1:17 says:

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Jesus ushered in a new season — a time when God’s grace became available to all who believe.

In the synagogue, Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah and applied the prophecy to Himself:

Luke 4:18–19

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor…
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Notice the phrase: “the acceptable year of the Lord.”
This is a specific time frame — the appointed season in which God’s favor is poured out.

Now Is That Time

Paul affirms this clearly:

2 Corinthians 6:1–2

“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

This means we are currently living in the season when God’s grace is available and salvation can be received. But like all seasons, this one will not last forever.

A Closing Window

The grace we enjoy today will not always be here. When Christ returns to take His church — what the Bible calls the Rapture — this season will close.

After that, no amount of prayer, fasting, or pleading will bring salvation, because it will no longer be the acceptable time.

Matthew 25:10-13 — in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins — Jesus warns that when the door is shut, it will be too late to enter:

“…the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut… Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

What Should You Do?

Take hold of grace while it’s still offered.
The prophets of old longed to see this day. Jesus said:

Matthew 13:17

“For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it…”

So how do you receive this grace?

Acts 2:38 gives us the clear answer:

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

• Believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
• Repent of your sins.
• Be baptized in His name.
• Live in obedience to Him.

This is how you enter into the grace of God and are counted among those ready for His return.

The Lord is coming!.

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Many people believe repentance is simply asking for forgiveness. However, true repentance is much more—it means turning away from sin and changing your behavior. Asking for forgiveness comes after you have made this change.

Repentance literally means a change of mind or heart that leads to a change in action. It’s not just feeling sorry but actively turning from sin,

(Luke 13:3 “But unless you repent, you too will all perish”).

When you recognize you have sinned, the first step is to stop doing the wrong thing. Only then should you ask God or others for forgiveness.

No one truly repents while continuing in sin. For example, if you steal from someone, you can’t ask for forgiveness while still stealing. First, you must stop stealing, then seek forgiveness.

Your actions demonstrate whether you have genuinely repented, not just your words;

Matthew 3:8

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance”.

God looks beyond words or tears—He sees the change in your life

Psalm 51:16-17

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise”.

Faith without works is dead (James 2:17“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”) Repentance is about doing what’s right, not just saying the right words.

The Example of Nineveh

God sent Jonah to warn Nineveh of coming judgment. The people responded by believing God and turning from their evil ways (Jonah 3:5-10).

The key verse is Jonah 3:10:

“When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.”

Notice it doesn’t say God was impressed by their fasting or tears, but by their actions—their decision to stop sinning.

Fasting and prayer are important but must come after a genuine change of heart and behavior.

When Should You Repent?

The Bible makes it clear: the right time to repent is now.
2 Corinthians 6:2 says:

“Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

True repentance means deciding today to turn away from sin and live differently. Once you make this choice, the Holy Spirit empowers you to live a new life (Romans 8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live”).

The Holy Spirit is our helper (John 14:26), but He helps those who have started walking the path of righteousness. If you haven’t made the first step—stopping your sin—He cannot do the work for you.

Isaiah 40:29 says:

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

If you’re struggling with sin, start by deciding to stop it, then ask God to strengthen you.

The Example of Zacchaeus

When Jesus met Zacchaeus, the tax collector repented by returning four times what he had stolen (Luke 19:8-9). Jesus declared salvation had come to his house—not because of words alone but because Zacchaeus’s actions showed real repentance.

How to Start True Repentance Today

• Stop living in sin (for example, leaving relationships that are wrong, returning what you have stolen or wrongfully taken, stopping habits like lying or adultery).
• After changing your behavior, ask God for forgiveness.
• You will then experience a deep peace, the sign that your repentance is accepted by God (Philippians 4:7, NIV).

Then God will empower you to overcome temptation. The desires that once controlled you will begin to fade.

Conclusion and Blessing

Repentance is not just a feeling or prayer; it is a real change in your life.
May God bless you and strengthen us all to live in His grace.

The Lord is coming!

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A sacrifice, sometimes called an “offering,” is an act of giving something valuable to God. Biblically, sacrifices are mainly divided into atoning sacrifices—those that make atonement for sin—and non-atoning offerings, which express devotion, thanksgiving, or commitment.

Old Testament Sacrifices

In the Old Testament (Old Covenant), atoning sacrifices involved animals like sheep, goats, and bulls. These sacrifices were commanded by God as a temporary means to deal with sin (Leviticus 1–7). The process involved bringing an animal before the Lord at the tabernacle, where a priest would slaughter the animal, collect its blood, and sprinkle it on the altar. This blood symbolized life and was necessary for atonement because “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22).

These animal sacrifices served as a foreshadowing of the perfect, final sacrifice to come. They pointed forward to Jesus Christ, the true Lamb of God, who would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

There were also other offerings—such as grain, money, or firstfruits—which were acts of worship but did not involve bloodshed and were therefore not sacrifices in the strict sense.

Modern Misunderstanding

Today, many Christians say they are offering “sacrifices” when giving money or goods to the church. While these offerings are valuable and pleasing to God (Philippians 4:18), technically, they are not sacrifices as defined in the Bible, because they do not involve atonement through blood.

Are Animal Sacrifices Still Required?

No. Under the New Covenant, which was established by Jesus Christ, the need for animal sacrifices has ended. Hebrews 10:1-10 clearly teaches that Jesus’ sacrifice was once and for all:

Hebrews 10:3-10
“But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.
It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me;
with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.
Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, my God.’
First he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them’—though they were offered in accordance with the law.
Then he said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will.’ He sets aside the first to establish the second.
And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

This passage shows that the old system of sacrifices was never sufficient to remove sin completely—it was a shadow pointing to Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. Jesus, as the sinless Lamb, offered Himself once and for all, making animal sacrifices unnecessary.

Is Offering Animal Sacrifices Today Wrong?

Yes. Christians should not practice animal sacrifice, as this denies the once-for-all atonement made by Jesus. Unfortunately, some who identify as Christians still engage in such rituals without realizing that this is not God’s will and can be spiritually harmful (Galatians 5:1).

May we grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18), fully trusting in His perfect sacrifice.

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