Is Sacrifice Still Important for Christians Today? | Pastor Ben Diaz

There is a significant difference between religion and a relationship with God; while religion emphasizes sacrifice and self-denial to reach God, faith in Jesus Christ teaches us that salvation is a gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) that cannot be earned. As followers of Christ, we are called to lay down our own agendas and walk in His footsteps, which includes embracing sacrifice (Matthew 16:24) and serving others freely (Matthew 10:8). Although we are delivered from the curse of sin and death, we may still face persecution for our faith. True sacrifice is not about loss, but about recognizing that everything we offer to God is what He first entrusted to us, as we present ourselves as living sacrifices and express gratitude for His abundant grace (Romans 12:1).