“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Matthew 9:13 (NKJV)
“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”
Hosea 6:6 (NLT)
• God delights much more in the expression of love to others, and in having knowledge of Him, than offering of sacrifices.
- In other words, knowing God and love for fellow human beings are delightful to God than what you may offer to Him (Matthew 22:36-40).
“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV)
• Level of your knowledge in God is shown in how you relate with others.
- If you know God, understand Him, and walk with Him intimately; you will treat your fellow human beings well.
• Care for what God cares for!
- If you do not want your relationship, fellowship, with God to be affected negatively, then treat other people well (Ephesians 6:8,9).
- “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!
- Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth eaten.
- YOUR GOLD AND SILVER ARE CORRODED, AND THEIR CORROSION WILL BE A WITNESS AGAINST YOU AND WILL EAT YOUR FLESH LIKE FIRE 🔥. You have heaped up treasure on the last days.
- INDEED THE WAGES OF LABORERS WHO MOWED YOUR FIELDS, WHICH YOU KEPT BACK BY FRAUD, CRY OUT; AND THE CRIES OF THE REAPERS HAVE REACHED THE EARS Off THE LORD OF SABAOTH [Hosts].”
James 5:1-4 (NKJV)
• Some people treat those who work for them badly.
“Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”
Colossians 4:1 (NKJV)
- The way you treat others can affect your fellowship with God positively or negatively.
- If you are an employer, treat the people who are working for you well, do not deprive them of their wages and rights (Leviticus 19:13).
- If you mistreat or ill-treat them, and they cry to God, He promises to hear and avenge them on you.
- It can bring a curse on you and your work.
- “You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether one of your brethren or one of the aliens who is in your land within your gates.
- “Each day you shall give him his wages, and not let the sun go down on it; LEST HE CRY OUT AGAINST YOU TO THE LORD, AND IT BE SIN TO YOU.”
Deuteronomy 24:14,15 (NKJV)
• Your level of knowledge in God is shown in how you treat others.
- “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
- If someone says, I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
- And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”
1 John 4:8,20,21 (NKJV)
• You will not fail in Jesus’ name.
Peace!