God gave King Saul an assignment that he didn’t fully carry out. He was told to wipe out everyone and everything belonging to the Amalekites. He took out the people, but told the prophet/judge Samuel that he kept the best of the animals “to sacrifice to the Lord your God.”
Samuel said, “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice.” (1 Sam. 15:22) In other words, it’s more important for us to listen to and do what Jesus says than it is to do our religious duty by having our “devos” and going to church on Sunday.
I like what a Jewish Midrash states, “It’s better to be like God than to commune with God.” God doesn’t need our religiosity. He wants our heart. He doesn’t need us to do anything for Him, but wants us to do everything with Him. He doesn’t want us to keep some list of behaviors but wants obedience out of our love for Him.
If you are going through the motions of doing Christian things, stop. You’re like King Saul, who was told that what he thought was obedience was actually rebellion. Jesus wants us in His word and to gather with His people because we intend to listen for the truths needed to replace the lies in our head. Our worn out character will be replaced with His eternal character as this is done. When His hold on us increases the hold of our drugs of choice decreases, which equates to victory!
“S”et Free Nowww