Obedient or ritual?!? 1 Samuel 15:22

Good morning all! God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

Well, did you think about being a legend in your own mind? God wants us to be humble and truthful. Saul obeyed God, but obeyed God in the way he viewed it, not as God commanded.

1 Samuel 15: 22 "But Samuel replied, 'What is more pleasing to the LORD; your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams."

Was Samuel saying that sacrifice is unimportant? No, not at all, he was urging Saul to look at his reasons for making the sacrifice rather than at the sacrifice itself.

A sacrifice was a ritual transaction between a person and God that physically demonstrated a relationship between them. BUT, if the person's heart was not truly repentant or if he did not truly love God, the sacrifice was a hollow ritual.

Religious ceremonies or rituals are empty unless they are performed with an attitude of love and obedience. Being religious, i.e. going to church, serving on a committee, giving to charity, etc., is not emough if we do not act out of devotion and obedience to God.

Why do you go to church? To do your "duty" each week, or to go and really praise God? Do you listen to the preacher, watching the time and hoping it will be over soon? OR, do you listen and hear the word of God from a man of God? When do you do your Bible study? Are you a legend in your mind or a person of reality who truly LOVES GOD?!?! Are you Obedient or ritual?!?! Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny