To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. – Proverbs 21:3
First Samuel 15 relates a story that aligns with today’s verse. God rejected Saul as king because he didn’t fully obey Him. Instead of destroying everything in the war against the Amalekites as instructed, Saul spared animals for sacrifices. This story illustrates the importance of obeying the Lord.
Jesus declares the life of obedience which comes by faith and love. Many religions strive for salvation by trying to do enough good works. This is putting the cart before the horse. When someone asked what they must do, Jesus told them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he sent” (John 6: 27-29). Does that mean Jesus abolished the commandments? No, Jesus said he didn’t come to abolish them but fulfill them (Mathew 5:17). He said the greatest commandments are to love God and others (Matthew 22:37-40). James says that if you verbally bless someone in need without meeting that need, “…what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:14-17).
Paul shows how to get the proverbial horse before the cart. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10). Those who receive salvation in Christ show it by good works. In prayer, examine your actions. Does your salvation show? Pray that the nation will be able to know Christians by their love.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 21:3
To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: John 13:31-35
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
