Sacrifices: A Poem

SACRIFICES

The ancients

sacrificed children

to appease

their gods

…in due time…

Our Lord

sacrificed His life

to please

His Father

and save

His brethren

…later still…

The moderns

sacrifice children

to appease

their gods

absolute freedom

hedonistic luxury

unexamined pride

self-deification

…ultimately…

we can

sacrifice across life

to please

our Father

and become

God’s children

 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

(Romans 8:12-18)