The Old and New Testaments of the Bible can sometimes seem like contradictions of one another. In the Old testament, God speaks emphatically about obedience and the dire consequences that come as a result of disobedience. Yet the New Testament is a reflection of God’s grace and mercy shown to us.
With two seemingly different ideas it can be difficult to know what God expects of us. Is all hope lost if we sin? Or does God show mercy to us and judge us based on our intent?
Recently, while visiting my sister’s church in Gulfport, Mississippi, I heard a sermon that was particularly convicting. The pastor referenced Malachi 1 and how ancient Israel was offering up blind, blemished, and broken animals as sacrifices to God, when He required the best to be offered to Him.
The children of Israel were blatantly disregarding God’s commands.
It reminded me of how we can treat God in a cavalier way and expect Him to bless us. Throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments, God makes it expressly clear that He does have a standard that He expects us to uphold. And when we enter God’s house of worship, we should always offer him our best.
How do we offer God our best though? And what does “our best” look like?
Leave your thoughts and comments below.
The Fence 