Hebrews 13:15, By Him therefore let us offer the Sacrifice of Praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name.
When Apostle Paul said to offer their praise of God continually, how often was he talking about?
Did he mean constantly? Every second, every minute?
Well, the word does say that whatsoever we do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and to do it heartily as unto the Lord….. (how can we possibly do this when our minds are on everything but the Lord most of the time)
To help understand the word, “continually,” let’s look at the way we eat. We eat continually, but not constantly. It’s obvious that we must eat on a continual basis, or we would get sick and eventually even die if we did not have a consistent food supply.
But why is it that we will be sure to eat on a continual basis but when it comes to giving praise to God; what is usually offered is a long way off from continual!!
I can’t help but wonder why we do not offer the sacrifice of praise to God, “just as continually as we eat.”
In the Old Testament, they offered the Burnt Offering morning (9 am) and evening (3 pm).
The Burnt Offering was the offering which demonstrated the righteousness which would be given to the Believer through the sacrifice of Christ. It was also offered at other times, but every day it was to be offered morning and evening.
If it was directed by God (and it was) to be offered twice each day, then why now, after Christ has actually paid the price for Righteousness, would it be any less important to thank Him at least twice each day and other times besides.
Actually, I believe one reason they were instructed to offer this sacrifice so often was to give us, who are of the New Covenant, a picture of how that praise should be offered to God continually; thanking Him for the sacrifice of Christ.
The sad thing is that in the Old Covenant, even though this offering was to be done at least twice a day; much of the time it ( the Jews were out of the will of God, much of that time, worshiping other Gods[how awful]) simply was not done.
It is a sad thing to look at the Church of today and see that much of it is also far from God much of the time. If it were not, believers would be offering the sacrifice of Praise to God continually.
Instead of offering the sacrifice of praise to God continually; I am concerned that many are actually offering the sacrifice of “much (overly abundant) food,” to the God, whom they really serve; their belly. (God understands the needs of diabetics and others who have some condition which requires some particular diet.)
Kind of reminds me of Romans 16:18, For they who are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Or to make this point even more clear let’s look at Phillipians 3:19, Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
And even more precisely, let’s look at 1 Cor. 6:13, Meats for the belly and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them.
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