Why are we saved ? We are saved in order to be sacrificed. There is a striking lesson in God’s saving certain of the clean beasts and clean fowl at the time of the flood. At God’s direction, Noah brought these, as well as other beasts and fowl that were not clean, into the ark of salvation.

These clean creatures were favored above those that were lost in the flood. It must have been a wonderful experience to step out from the ark onto dry land again. But what happened then?

“Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it” (Genesis 8:20).

Thus it appears that certain of these creatures were saved in order to be sacrificed after their salvation was complete. If this surprises us, have we realized that we who believe in Christ are saved for exactly that purpose?

“I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).

This is acceptable unto God, and it is our reasonable service.

Noah’s sacrifice of the clean animals brought great blessing to the earth, as the record goes on to show us; and the “living sacrifice” of God’s children brings great blessing to mankind.

Let us thank God, indeed, that we are saved to be sacrificed.

Noah was a just man.

The just shall live by faith.—Noah builded an altar unto the Lord ; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour.—The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference.

We . . . joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect ? It is God that justifieth.—Whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified.