To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice
One of my favorite songwriters is a man named Keith Green. If you don’t know his story, I urge you to get to know him. He loved Jesus unabashedly and each of his songs proclaim something real about the Christian walk.
Below are the lyrics to one of the most convicting songs he sings, in my opinion. They’re written from the perspective of Jesus to His Church. And while they may seem extreme or harsh in certain parts, I think the heart of the song is so true.
“To obey is better than sacrifice
I don’t need your money, I want your life.
And I hear you say that I’m coming back soon
but you act like I’ll never return.
Well you speak of grace and my love so sweet.
How you thrive on milk but reject My meat!
And I can’t help weeping at how it will be
If you keep on ignoring My words.
Well you pray to prosper and succeed
but your flesh is something I just can’t feed.
To obey is better than sacrifice
I want more than Sunday’s and Wednesday nights
‘Cause if you can’t come to Me every day
Then don’t bother coming at all.
To obey is better than sacrifice
I want hearts of fire
Not your prayers of ice
And I’m coming quickly to give back to you,
according to what you have done.”
Scripture reading where these truths can be found- 1 Samuel 15, Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, Matthew 6:5-8 & 7:21-23, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, James 4:1-6, Revelation 3:14-22
6 Responses to “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice”
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- - February 11, 2013
Prophesied – Hosea 6:6
Realized – Matthew 9:12-13
Reprised – Matthew 12:6-7
Thank you for sharing the song!
Wow! These are great verses! Thanks for your feedback. Equally edified. : )
Keith has been one of my favorite Christian singers for a long time. One of the few Christian Artist’s who saw song as just another medium for Godly truth. Have you ever read “No Compromise,” written partly by his wife after he died. Great book, and great post.
To my shame, I have not read No Compromise. It has been on my list for some time. It’s a treasure to watch him on YouTube every now and then as well.
Thank you…I’ll speed that book to the top of my list.
Well, whenever you get around to it, you will be uplifted and inspired. I’ve read the book a couple of times. Even after his death, Keith continues to be a model for us of what it means to really follow Christ whole-heartedly (or maybe I should have said, without compromise).