To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

“Then Samuel said: ‘Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.'”
1 Samuel 15:22 (NKJV)

To give a sacrifice one had to obey in the first place. But sacrifices are gone, replaced by the one sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. But does that mean that today there is no “obey”? No indeed it does not. The better part is still valid-obey. But obey what?

Well, there are indeed quite a few examples. But I have a purpose here with just one example in mind. I some time back I was talking with a man who, like Paul, could cry out “Oh wretched man that I am.” He was riddled with guilt over a transgression and desperate not to re-offend.

I said: “Paul was that wretched too, but he also gave instructions to help. Obey what he advised:”

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians. 4:8-9).

Prayer
Loving Father, help us to give our sacrifice of obedience to the principles we find in your Word, the Bible, for in this you delight.
Amen

Study by Eric Wood