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OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE

Scripture: Matt 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and man."

My Children’s Corner Sermon a few months ago at church was about making wise choices and being obedient to God. It has been a while since I have covered this topic in my weekly meditation but it never hurts to revisit such an importance subject.

There was a mighty king in Africa who wanted all of his millions of people to covert to Christianity. Many rejected him and many tried to kill him. Frustrated and weary of fighting he decided to denounce his thrown and become a monk. He traveled many days and nights until he reached the nearest monastery. After arriving he met with the leading monk and had an interview.

During the interview the monk asked did he understand that the number one rule in the monastery was to be completely obedient to God. “Oh, yes!” Said the king. “I will be completely obedient to you as you follow Christ.” The monk sat back in his chair for a moment and then said to the king, “Well, then the first thing you must do is go back to your kingdom and sit on the thrown and complete the work that God has for you there. Are we truly hearing what God is saying to us?

God has a plan for each of our lives and if we are not in constant prayer we will make decisions based on the flesh rather than the Holy Spirit. Connecting with the Holy Spirit is vitally important to a believer’s life. Moreover, our obedience to Christ must be exclusive. One cannot obey God and yet serve other gods at the same time. This is what Jesus said: "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and man" (Matt 6:24).

Therefore, we must completely remove everything that competes for our loyalty to God. Many things in our secular demand our service: making money, becoming successful, being perfect, getting an education, family, and our daily activities. But to really serve the Lord we must remove these distractions from our lives and go to him in prayer. God requires our exclusive loyalty and service, daily. Secondly, serving God must occupy every event, every affection and attitude. Throughout the day we must live for him and not ourselves. We must be conscious that everything we say and do can be an expression of serving God: the way we look at someone, the way we smile and say hello. We serve by praying, caring, and practicing hospitality. (Something my pastors stress!)

We can serve God at work, in the kitchen, at the grocery store, as well as at church. We are God's redeemed possession, the vassals of a great King. Let us live in service of him, and do not be so quick to sacrifice while not fully understanding what it is God intends for you to do! Amen.

By: Elder Michael L. Hargett
Copyright 2008 © MinTech, Inc.

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