The Altar: Life in Leadership

Equalla Foster
Jul 18
3 min read

Since the days of Cain and Abel, as recorded in the book of Genesis, altars have been depicted in the Bible. Jesus being the Altar that triumphs over all altars. But did you know that you (your life) is an altar? Yes, leader, you are an altar set before the LORD our God. And as an altar, it is crucial not to let the fire of God go out of your life. But burn day and night, for you are a priest.

1 Peter 2:5 "You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ." Amplified Bible.

What Does the Altar Represent?

Altars represent a place of surrender, praise, worship, and communion with the LORD. They signify the finished work of Jesus Christ. Your altar can be a physical place, not like in the Old Testament, where animals were sacrificed, but a dedicated area to the LORD—your home, place of work, church, etc. However, the altar I am referencing is a spiritual one—a presentation of ourselves as living sacrifices.

Romans 12:1 "Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship."

Altars are places of transactions. Here, we willingly and submissively lay our lives down before the King of kings and the Lord of lords. When we surrender pride and selfishness, we can receive God's grace, mercy, wisdom, strength, and authority over temptation. This is the spiritual exchange that occurs on the altar, where we relinquish our worldly desires and receive God's blessings in return.

James 4:7 "So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you."

On altars, we are called to give the sacrifice of praise continuously, not just in moments of joy or sorrow, but in every moment of our lives, for His glory. This continuous praise is a testament to our unwavering devotion and faith.

Hebrews 13:15 "Through Him, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name."

One of the most incredible things we can display on the altar is love. For our God is love, and all we do must demonstrate the power of such love.

1 John 3:16-18 "By this we know [and have come to understand the depth and essence of His precious] love: that He [willingly] laid down His life for us [because He loved us]. And we ought to lay down our lives for the believers. 17 But whoever has the world's goods (adequate resources), and sees his brother in need, but has no compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him? 18 Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words]."

As you go about your day today, do not quench the Holy Spirit and let all that you do bring glory and honor to God. Let your altar burn brightly.

A Leadership Pondering Moment: The Altar

What altars have you built where you can lay down ego, ambition, fear, doubts, unbelief, and all things before the LORD, so that your leadership is not about you and your abilities or strength, but God's?