God No longer Accepts Sacrifices But Obedience

Even before people thought animal sacrifices were to be done away with, with Jesus on earth, God told Isaiah 600 years before that, that these animal sacrifices were no longer important. It is written, “to what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.” (Isaiah 1:11-15) And this coincides with what Paul said here. “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16,17)

So now the verses in Colossians makes more sense. God was fed up with all the burnt offerings and all the slaughter, where people still continued to willfully sin before God. Therefore, he did away with such things and others, as you read above. At this point, these people knew how to shed blood, but could not learn how to obey God and do His will. Sin still abounded in their lives. And for this reason, God said, “wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” (Isaiah 1:16-19) And how are our sins able to be washed away? Through the blood of Jesus. He is the last sacrifice for sin, which He paid the penalty for all people on the cross. Through His atoning blood, we are cleansed, if we come to the Lord in faith and repentance. Then, can the Holy Spirit help us be obedient to God, that we may experience God’s blessings upon us.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will all grow in our faith in You. That we will no longer grow colder because of sin but allow You to lead us into Your presence. Keep us far from the devil, that darkness may flee and light may enter in. It is my heart’s desire to stay close to You and abide in Your love. Lord, I am sorry for my sins and pray that You will cleanse me. Forgive me and have mercy for my soul. I am sorry for hurting You. Wash me through Your blood and take me from this place of guilt, and raise me up into Your peace. The things of this world often look so appealing to me, but I am always feeling shameful in the end. When lust has a hold of me I cannot even think straight, for my thoughts are twisted. And I am sorry for committing such wicked things, because of lust and covetousness. Lord, help me to always be content and even be willing to give up things I do not need in life. My true joy is found in You. So I look to You in faith, Lord, as my Savior, God, and King. Rescue me from this broken world and keep me ever on Your righteous path. Help me choose the better part of this world, which is listening to You and then being obedient to Your teachings. Then, people can be loved as You love them. Every day that I pray and read the Bible, I learn so much. And I am grateful for all the understanding and wisdom You have given me. So help me to learn of You and obey Your counsel. I believe in You, Lord. No longer do I wish to sin against You. I love You. Amen.

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