Are we to be idle? Is there nothing for us to do in the outside place to which we are called? Is Christian life to be made up of a series of negations? Is there nothing positive? Let Hebrews 13 furnish the clear and forceful answer to all these inquiries. We shall find it quite as distinct in reference to our work as it is in reference to our position.
What work, then, have we to do? Two things, and these two in their comprehensive range take in the whole of a Christian’s life in its two grand aspects. They give us the inner and the outer life of the true believer. In the first place, we read, “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.”
Is not this something? Have we not here a very elevated character of work? Yes, it is; the most elevated that can possibly engage the energies of our renewed being. It is our privilege to be occupied — morning, noon, evening and mid-night — in presenting the sacrifice of praise to God — a sacrifice which, He assures us, is ever most acceptable to Him. “Whoso offereth praise,” He says, “glorifieth Me.”
Let us carefully note this. Praise is to be the primary and continual occupation of the believer. We, in our fancied wisdom, would put work in the first place. We are disposed to attach chief importance to bustling activity. We have such an exaggerated sense of the value of doing, that we lose sight of the place which worship occupies in the thoughts of God.
Again, some vainly imagine that they can please God by punishing their bodies. They think that He delights in their vigils, fastings, floggings and flagellations. Miserable, soul-destroying, God-dishonoring delusion! Will not those who harbor it and act on it bend their ears and their hearts to those gracious words which we have just quoted, “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me”? True, those words are immediately followed by that grand practical statement, “And to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.” But still, here, as everywhere, the highest place is assigned to praise, not to work. And, most assuredly, no man can be said to be ordering his conversation aright who abuses his body and renders it unfit to be the vessel or instrument by which he can serve God.
If we really desire to please God, to gratify His heart and to glorify His name, we shall give our heart’s attention to Hebrews 13:1515By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15), and seek to offer the sacrifice of praise, continually. Yes, “continually.” Not merely now and then, when all goes on smoothly and pleasantly. Come what may, it is our high and holy privilege to offer the sacrifice of praise to God.
How delightful it is to cultivate a spirit of praise and thankfulness — to be always ready to cry, “Hallelujah!” It so glorifies God when His people live in an atmosphere of praise. It imparts a heavenly tone to their character, and speaks more powerfully to the hearts of those around them than if they were preaching to them from morning till night. A Christian should always be happy, always bright with the spirit of praise, always reflecting back on this dark world the blessed beams of His Father’s countenance.
Nothing is so unworthy of a Christian as a fretful spirit, a gloomy temper, a sour morose-looking face. Not only is it unworthy of a Christian but it is dishonoring to God, and it causes the enemies of truth to speak reproachfully. No doubt, tempers and dispositions vary, and much allowance must be made in cases of weak bodily health. It is not easy to look pleasant when the body is racked with arthritis, neuralgia or rheumatism. But neither should we ever commend anything like levity or the continual smile of mere unsubdued nature.
But Scripture is clear and explicit. It tells us to “offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” How simple! The fruit of lips! Is this all? Yes; this is what our God delights in. It is His joy to be surrounded with the praises of hearts filled to overflowing with His abounding goodness. Thus it will be throughout eternity, in that bright home of love and glory to which we are so rapidly hastening.
Let us specially note the words, “By Him.” We are to offer our sacrifice of praise by the hand of our great High Priest, who is ever in the presence of God for us. This is most comforting and assuring to our hearts. Jesus presents our sacrifice of praise to God. Therefore, it must be ever acceptable. We may safely believe that we would not recognize our sacrifice if we could see it laid on the altar by the priestly hand of the Great Minister of the sanctuary. It goes up to God, not as it proceeds from us, but as it is presented by Him. Divested of all the imperfection and failure attached to us, it ascends to God in all the fragrance and acceptance belonging to Him. The feeblest note of praise, the simple “Thank God!” is perfumed with the incense of Christ’s infinite preciousness. This is unspeakably precious, and it should greatly encourage us to cultivate a spirit of praise. We should be “continually” praising and blessing God. A murmuring or fretful word should never cross the lips of one who has Christ for his portion, and who stands identified with that blessed One in His position and His destiny.