Obedience Versus Religion?

Obedience Versus Religion??

In our success driven culture; pride, selfishness, the desire for recognition and power, and the deception of self-righteousness, “pollute” and darken the hearts and minds of many. Unfortunately, this has also “infiltrated” Christian circles. Alas, when God’s people are driven and motivated by anything short of humble submission and obedience to God and a desire for God’s glory; we have missed the “mark” by a long mile

"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22)

Isn’t it daunting to know that we can look “ceremonially” right and good; use the correct spiritual jargon and language; act in righteously “acceptable” ways; partake religiously and zealously in Christian activities; adopt the Christian “label”; busy ourselves in Christian ministries and yet be detestable and despicable to God??!!

“Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations- I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts, my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood (Isaiah 1:13-15)

Some of us may think that we can deceive God, and others; by our outward forms of “holiness”. We think that our outward piety might impress others, but God cannot, and will not, be mocked. Our lips may offer praises to God, but if we indulge in sin and ungodliness; and our lives are not subject to, or “aligned” to utmost conformity and obedience to His will; we are imposters and hypocrites.

“These people come near to me with their mouths and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men” (Isaiah 29: 13)

Saul was anointed king, at the age of thirty. He was outwardly impressive, by any man’s standards. He stood a head taller than the rest, and no one came close in comparison. He had the image and the “prestige” to draw followers. But tragically, Saul was plagued by pride, ambition, jealousy and disobedience.

In the midst of war, Saul took matters into his own hands, disobeyed God’s word, and depended on his own “wisdom”. What might have seemed like clever and “logical strategies”, were an abomination to the Lord. As a result, God rejected him as King.

“You acted foolishly…You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time, but now your kingdom will not endure..” (1 Sam 13:13-14a)

“Obedience is a measure of the extent of Christ’s lordship over you” (“Measure Your Life” by Wesley Duewel pg 105)

“Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)

“But humble, sincere, and conscientious obedience to the will of God, is more pleasing and acceptable to him than all burnt-offering and sacrifices. God is more glorified and self more denied, by obedience than by sacrifice. It is much easier to bring a bullock or lamb to be burned upon the altar, than to bring every high thought into obedience to God, and to make our will subject to his will. Those are unfit and unworthy to rule over men, who are not willing that God should rule over them” (The Pleasure of God in Obedience by John Piper March 29th 1987)

May we fall at the feet of Jesus, in brokenness, contrition, repentance and humility; for we are all guilty of disobedience! I pray that our lives will continue to be consecrated in humble submission to God, as we surrender all our personal agendas, selfish and ungodly motives, and bend our wills to His, in perfect alignment.
“To obey is better than sacrifice”

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.--Psalm 111:10