Is Obedience Better than Sacrifice? Are they the same?

[SDG]

Dan stated in a previous thread:

God prefers obedience over our self-denial and sacrifice. God says not to deny our spouses. ... I'm not going to follow all the ceremonial washings and rituals the Levites performed because well ... NEWSFLASH ... those days are over ... our High Priest allows me too.

As Sister Alvear ... has said we've made church attendance and our "appearances of piety" on church days the focus ... We are the temple of the LIVING GOD EVERY DAY.

Praxeas responded:

BTW to me this is a sort of oxymoron...God prefers obedience over our self-denial and sacrifice? Isn't obedience to Him self denial and sacrifice?

In light of the following scripture and others:

1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

What do you think is meant when Samuel said Obedience is better than sacrifice?

Are obedience, sacrifice and self-denial the same?

Is our abstinence from sin.... obedience? or is it sacrifice unto God? ... or both?

Is it all the same to God?

[SDG]

Another verse to ponder before opining:

Psalm 51:

16 For you don't delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.

[stmatthew]

I think the scriptures are dealing with the heart of a man first, and not the actions of a man.

Obedience is a heart issue first. It may lead to sacrifice, but it is not sacrifice in and of itself.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

I think the scriptures are dealing with the heart of a man first, and not the actions of a man.

Obedience is a heart issue first. It may lead to sacrifice, but it is not sacrifice in and of itself.

How does obedience lead to sacrifice? Please define sacrifice.

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

How does obedience lead to sacrifice? Please define sacrifice.

To take your scriptures as you presented them.................


Psalm 51:

16 For you don't delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.

If we are looking at the old testament, God was looking at the heart, and not at just a "law keeper'. It wasn't that he didn't want the sacrifices of the bull. But he wanted a heart that was eager to do his will.

In the case of Saul, God told him to kill all. He disobeyed because he feared the people, thinking he could bring the enemies flock and offer a sacrifice. But he was in disobedience to God in doing so. The end did NOT justify the means.

Today, God requires us to be obedient and follow his plan. Some will attempt to do things their way, thinking they can be a greater benefit to the kingdom. One phrase that really typifies this is "The Gospel to the lost at any cost". We cannot go beyond the boundaries God has laid out in his scripture in our zeal to win the lost. When our method contradicts what God has spoken, then the end does NOT justify the means.

[SDG]

Isaiah 1:11-18

11"What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?"
Says the LORD.
"I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
And the fat of fed cattle;
And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.

12"When you come (AB)to appear before Me,
Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?

13"Bring your worthless offerings no longer,
Incense is an abomination to Me
New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies--
I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.

14"I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts,
They have become a burden to Me;
I am weary of bearing them.

15"So when you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Yes, even though you multiply prayers,
I will not listen
Your hands are covered with blood.

16"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight
Cease to do evil,
17Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Reprove the ruthless,
Defend the orphan,
Plead for the widow.

18"Come now, and let us reason together,"
Says the LORD,
"Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.

19"If you consent and obey,
You will eat the best of the land;

20"But if you refuse and rebel,
You will be devoured by the sword "
Truly, the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

[Dedicated Mind]

I think obedience is self-denial and a personal sacrifice. The scriptures you quote are about ANIMAL sacrifices.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

I think obedience is self-denial and a personal sacrifice. The scriptures you quote are about ANIMAL sacrifices.

Really. Does anyone agree w/ DM?

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

I think obedience is self-denial and a personal sacrifice. The scriptures you quote are about ANIMAL sacrifices.

DM, do you think one's obedience, self-denial and sacrifice makes you righteous before God?

[Dedicated Mind]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

DM, do you think one's obedience, self-denial and sacrifice makes you righteous before God?

obedience is what we practice after we have been justified by the blood.