Better to Obey...

Verse of the day: Proverbs 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

How easily we can deceive ourselves if we are not careful about what we believe is acceptable to our God. Far too many of us forget that God prefers sincerity, righteousness, and holiness within, than empty actions that try to mask what is really in our hearts. 1 Samuel 16:7 clearly tells us that God does not see as we see. We see the outward appearance, while He sees the heart. In 1 Samuel 15:22, the Prophet Samuel tells King Saul that God is not as interested or as pleased with sacrifices, as He is with obedience, and submission, to His Word. This truth still applies today. We cannot live a life of sin, as a born again believer, and think that God is pleased. Yes, we live in an age of grace, but God’s grace is not an excuse to sin; and we certainly cannot bribe God with our sacrifices (which without faith are like filthy rags to God; Isaiah 64:6). Religious rituals, fasting, giving, and the like, are not substitutes for righteousness, and holiness. In Mark 12:33, we are told to love God with all that is in us, and our neighbor as ourselves. That verse ends by telling us that this is more important than burnt offerings, and sacrifices. Matthew 5:23 reminds us that if we bring our gifts to the altar, but remember that we are in conflict with a brother, we are to leave our gift at the altar, reconcile with our brother, and then come again to offer our gift. God is very clear in His Word, that obedience, righteous living, and holy living are what really matter to Him. Too often we, as Christians, although we serve, still dishonor God because of our attitude, and actions towards others. We use our sacrifice of service as a substitute for what God really expects from us. Let us, today, ask God to show us what is in our hearts. Let us, today, examine ourselves, and put aside useless sacrifices that mean nothing to God, if our hearts are not right with Him. Let us forsake our pet sins, and stop living as if we do not belong to a Holy and Righteous God. Let us be careful about how we represent Jesus, and concern ourselves more with what He sees in our hearts, than what people see of our façade. Let us be true to our God, and offer Him the sacrifices that really count; the sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise that comes from a heart that desires, and does its best, to live righteously, and holy, before our Lord. God sacrificed His best (Jesus) for us, let us not offer cheap, and empty, sacrifices in return; but instead, let us offer Him our best (starting with what is in our hearts). Only then can we offer Him sacrifices (by faith and in Christ) that will be pleasing to Him.