Motivated By Gratitude:

It is only through Jesus Christ that a heart can produce outward acts pleasing to God.  A heart of faith will naturally be filled with gratefulness.  It will have the desire to offer God words, songs and acts of praise and thanksgiving.  These words of praise and works of love are today’s voluntary sacrifices that are pleasing to God.  These sacrifices are pleasing because they are rooted in faith that Christ Jesus has done what is necessary.  Without Christ, our offerings will not be accepted by God.  John 15:5.

Such offerings are motivated by gratitude not necessity.  Through faith, believers stand at the cross and realize they are no longer required to offer any sacrifice of works.  Instead voluntary offerings of thanksgiving can be given.  “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.  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”  Hebrews 13:15-16

Our works come through Jesus.  Faith relieves the pressure and stress of performing works.  Our “sacrifices” are like ripened fruit.  As fruit grows naturally from a healthy tree, our works blossom and ripen into something good and pleasing to God.