Obedience; is the act of compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority. Sacrifice; is an act of slaughtering an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to a deity.
Hello Friends, 1 Samuel 15:22 tells us that it is better to obey than to sacrifice. In other words, the scripture is telling us that if we submit and commit to following the authority of God, which is His word, we will have no need for recompense.
Friends, disobedience to God is sin, and even though we were ALL born in sin (it is our human nature), God does not want is to remain in sin. He provided a way to put this sinful nature in check. He gave Jesus Christ to be the sacrifice for our sins once and for all. Friends, it is by the blood of Jesus, our sacrificial lamb, that we are cleansed from all sin/disobedience. Had man not disobeyed God from the beginning and kept His word throughout the generations, we would have a legacy of righteousness or right standing with God. However, this is not the case.
Because of our fallen and sinful state, we must remember that we are in need of a sacrifice that will redeem us from our sin and the consequences they bring. Every sin is an act of disobedience to God, and according to scripture, “The wages of sin is death; Sins bring death (separation from God) but, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 6:23. God wants us to walk in life, not in sin.
Friends, sacrifices are painful, even though they can bring a great reward. Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for you. So let us hold in high esteem what He has done for us so that we will not follow the desires of our sinful nature. Galatians 5:19 says that when we follow the desires of our sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
The works of the flesh, or the sins that are a result of disobedience are not to be taken lightly. They put a wedge between you and your Creator. These sins have eternal consequences whether you believe so or not. YOUR ETERNITY DEPENDS ON YOUR OBEDIENCE OR DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD, however the solution to sin is simple, but it calls for your complete obedience.
Friends, we must obey God’s word fully if we want to reap the benefits of a sin free life. We will still make mistakes, but the Holy Spirit of God will help you once you’ve committed yourself to being obedient to God’s word with a humble, and repented heart. Eventually you will see your sinful nature transformed into an obedient child of God.
PEACE and LOVE!
