Obedience Is Better than Sacrifice

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

A Christ follower knows there is no substitute for doing what’s right. It is not insignificant to know the will of God and not do it. Why? Because God calls that sin! Sure, we can rationalize it with thoughts of; “I’m not ready for that yet;” or “I’m too young (or old).” We can also procrastinate; “I’ll do it later.” Let’s be honest. Neither rationalization nor procrastination is a good excuse not to do what’s right. There is a biblical word for that: disobedience!

Good intentions without corresponding obedience are not enough. Deciding to obey is not the same as obeying (Matthew 21:28–31). Public affirmations of the necessity of obeying are not the same as obeying (Luke 6:46).

Israel’s King Saul discovered this the hard way. He was told not to take plunder from a battle. He chose, instead, to take matters into his own hands, allowing his men to bring animals back, the best of which were to be given to the Lord in sacrifice—a very pious idea. What he discovered that day is a truth we should all learn: even acts of piety are no substitute for obedience.

There is only one thing that satisfies God’s desire for our obedience. It’s called obedience!

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (James 4:17)