Hebrews is a letter written by a Jewish Christian to Jewish Christians. Using the phrase “let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God” was natural for the author to use. In the Jewish mind, a sacrifice was offered up to God in obedience for the purpose of making one right with his God. We don’t often think of our words of praise as being a sacrifice, something that restores our relationship with our Lord.

The Jewish person was familiar with making a certain type of sacrifice for a certain reason or a specific sin. They would place their offering of grain or a small animal on the altar with the understanding that there was a “cost” for sins committed. For the sake of their souls, they were to sacrifice something of value for the sake of being made right with God.

The author of Hebrews told the first-century Jewish Christians that they should continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God. Their continual praise for God would keep them close to God. The sacrifice was not the usual grain or meat offering; instead, it was the “fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Their testimony about Christ was the sacrifice that God requested. 

Additionally, they were to lead a life that did good for others, sharing what they had with those in need. The author of Hebrews said that “such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

We are called to live with sacrificial praise to God on our lips and good deeds that share our blessings with others. When those words describe our spiritual goals, we can know that our sacrifices have been pleasing to God.

Wisdom is offering our gratitude to God. Gaining wisdom so that we can be right with God is a sacrifice of our time and thoughts. Allowing our praise to become a continual, sacrificial offering to God is wisely living with his priorities. We can know that our sincere gratitude has been received and has pleased our Creator God.