SACRIFICE IS NOT OBEDIENCE

When Saul had sinned by sparing Agag, king of the Amalekites, as well as certain of the better sheep and cattle, God sent the prophet Samuel to confront him with his disobedience. Saul excused himself by saying that he intended the animals as sacrifices to Jehovah. At this, Samuel responded: "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice."

It is easy today also for God's people to think that one thing is as good as another, and to delude themselves into a false sense of security based on their misunderstanding or rationalization. In this lesson we look at some common errors along this line.

Body

I. To "get baptized" is not the same as being "born again."

   A. The Bible certainly commands baptism of those who believe; it is Jesus' own appointed visible response of faith to the gospel of grace.

        1. Acts 22:16.

        2. John 3:5.

   B. One may "get baptized," however, without being born again or regenerated. This would happen if he were baptized simply to please another person, or if he were baptized simply for "church membership" in a sectarian sense.

II. To attend church assemblies is not the same as worshipping God.

   A. God wants true worshippers -- those who worship Him in spirit and in truth (from the heart, sincerely; John 4:21-24).

   B. Many have "worshipped" God outwardly when their hearts were far away; this was empty or "vain" worship (Matthew 15:8,9; see the context of the Isaiah passage from which Jesus is quoting).

III. The name on the sign is not the same as Christ in the heart. People may call themselves after the name of the Lord and still be far from Him in reality.

   A. Jeremiah 7:1ff.

   B. Revelation 3:19, 20.

IV. To bear children is not the same as to rear children.

   A. Ephesians 6:4.

   B. Titus 2:3-5.

V. To love a favorite "hobby" is not the same as loving the "truth." Many people loudly proclaim how they "love the truth," when what they really mean is that they love to hear their favorite subject expounded, or to hear their pet sin upbraided. They have missed the real meaning of loving the truth, which is to desire complete maturity in the Word of God, simply because God has given all His Word. They might ask: "Does expository preaching bore me?" If it does, one might have too narrow interests, regardless of what he declares!

   A. II Timothy 3:14-17.

   B. Colossians 1:28, 29.

VI. To ask forgiveness of the Lord is not the same as seeking first His kingdom and righteousness. If someone plans to sin, thinking that he will later "get forgiveness," he clearly misses the point of genuine obedience or forgiveness.

   A. I John 1: 7.

   B. I John 2:1-3.

   C. Matthew 6:33.

VII. To be religious is not the same as being a Christian. To be "a member of the church" is not the same as being a child of God -- as the terms are often used today for the mere externals without true conversion (Philippians 3:3-11).

Conclusion

Let us learn from Saul's mistake and not make the same one in a different guise. Men may be deceived by appearances and externals: God is never mocked. Only genuine dedication to Him will suffice; only true faith/commitment from the heart will humbly receive His grace.

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