SOMETHING BETTER

 

As we walk through this world as believers, there are many good things that we can do. But in the sight of God, not everything has equal value; some things have greater value than others, or some are good, but others are better.

 Starting with the well-known verse, ‘’ OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE’. 1Sam 15:22. To sacrifice to God means to give up something voluntarily without coercion that you value in the service of God. Its something that costs you and causes you pain. We are told it is better to obey than to sacrifice. 

Many times we sacrifice to God but God does not accept our sacrifices because we are disobeying him somewhere. The psalmist says; you do not delight in in sacrifice and offerings… but what God delights God is when we delight dong His will. Ps 40:6-8. Again he says in Ps 51:16-19; you do not desire in sacrifice or delight in burnt offering; but what excites God is a broken heart and a contrite spirit. It is only then that the sacrifices we make have value before God. For it continues to say in verse 19; THEN you WILL DELIGHT IN RIGHTEOUS SACRIFICES, IN BURNT OFFERINGS AND WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS. In other words, God only accepts the sacrifices we make to Him if we are walking in obedience to Him, delight in doing His will and walk in brokenness and contrition before Him.

GOD HAS PROVIDED SOMETHING BETTER FOR US. Heb 11:40. This verse comes at the end of Hebrews 11 which is generally known as the ‘heroes of faith’. God has provided something better for us than when these heroes experienced. Some of the things mentioned in this chapter include; dead being raised, making of the ark, translation to heaven, barren women having children, crossing the red sea, falling the walls of Jericho, shutting lions mouth, walking in fire… and many more miracles mention. We may think that that is the greatest thing that ever happened, but the concluding verse shows us that there is something better. What is better is explained by the starting verse of chapter 12. Which says THEREFORE; thus it’s a continuation of our closing verse of chapter 11. 

What is better than all the mirtacles in chapter 11? Eunning our Christian race looking unto Jesus as our example who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, faced grievous opposition from sinners and yet when his struggle against sin led him to shed blood, he never sinned. Heb 12:1-4

Jesus who performed miracles more than anyone else since creation; his miracle ministry was not the greatest thing that He did, that is why it is not mentioned in the next chapter. The greatest thing he did was to become our example in enduring the cross, despising shame and resisting sin to the point of shedding blood. That why we are told to run looking unto his; in other word making Jesus our example; We have something BETTER THAN THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS; THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS. Taking the same principle, one who by his life continually denies himself, despises the shame of being a bold witness of Christ, and continues to resist sin; his life becoming an example to others; such a person is better than one who performs miracles.

Jesus says that many will say they prophesied and performed miracles; but because instead of resisting sin; they indulged in it; he will deny them. Mat 7:21-23; ITS BETTER TO RESIST SIN THAN PERFOM MIRACLES.

Imagine that you lived in Nazareth, one day Jesus visited you with His disciples; after receiving the guests, the next thing to do would be to prepare them food so they can eat and bless you. This is the same thing that Martha did.

Jesus travelled with His disciples to the house of Mary and Martha; Martha immediately went to the kitchen to prepare some meals for His guests; and when she realised that her sister was ‘just sitting’’ in the table room just listening; she went to Jesus to complain; but to her surprise, she got rebuked; ‘’Martha, Martha’’, you are troubled and worried about many things but only one thing is necessary and Mary has chosen it. Luke 10:38-42. Mary only sat to listen but Martha was serving Jesus and His disciples sacrificially. 

LISTENING TO GODS VOICE IS BETTER THAN SERVIN HIM SACRIFICIALLY. Learn to listen to God first before going out to serve him

THE END OF A MATTER IS BETTER THAN THE BEGINNING. Ecc 7:8. It is very easy to start the Christian race with passion and zeal to live wholeheartedly for God; but that passion can die along the way. It’s easy in the beginning to serve out of love, but love can die out while you are still in the service of God…but I have one thing against you, YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE: REPENT. Rev 2:3-5

It is better to serve God out of love than serving as duty.

You are blessed to be a blessing

Feel free to share

@blessedmambo