Sacrifice-Service as a Telos of Life

Abstract

The concepts of sacrifice and service are subjects that have their formation in the social, historical and religious settings of the Old and New Testaments. Sacrifice and service were conceived as Telos of human survival in the Bible. Sacrifice and service were largely engaged by Paul in the book of Philippians to mean the use of fragrance in the OT sacrificial system. Paul calls the death of Christ for us an offering and a sacrifice to God a sweet-smelling savour. Paul’s view of sacrifice is similar to the understanding of the Krobo people. The concept of sacrifice and service in the socio-historical and religious life of the Krobo people of Ghana would be considered in this study to explain the biblical idea of sacrifice and service. This paper argues that sacrifice-service is as the Telos of personal and or public way of life. This paper explores how Christian sacrifice-service is as offering being “pour-out” in a person’s life draws attention to the daily suffering and service in Christ. The overall objective of this paper is to appreciate and promote sacrifice-service in the Bible as the Telos of life to influence moral life and good behaviour.