Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

RITUAL vs WILL

June 1, 2009

When my children were young, I remember saying, "I don't want your apologies, I want your obedience." What I meant was sometimes when they'd apologize they were merely going through the motions, "I'm sorry, daddy." I was less concerned about their words than I was their spirits.

First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them"--though they were offered in accordance with law. Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will."

- Hebrews 10:8,9 TNIV

Much of the theme of the Book of Hebrews is showing how Jesus is the fulfillment of the sacrificial system because he is the priest, he is the high priest that accomplishes it all. It's not that God did not desire sacrifices; God established the system under Moses' leadership. But the sacrifices were a long way from our spirits, our will, obedience.

In Christ, fulfillment, completion has arrived. It is accomplished. What our Lord wants of us today is not ritual, not some religious act. What the Lord Jesus Christ wants of us is our hearts, our wills, our minds. Certainly not so much an, "I'm sorry, Jesus," but a devotion to be his people, and to live like it, to love like it. Not ritual, but will.
Joyfully,

Dale Patterson