1 Samuel 15:22 – But Samuel replied – “What is more pleasing to the Lord; your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice?  Obedience is better than sacrifice.  Listing to him is much better than offering the fat of rams.
Throughout our world and culture, we try so hard to seek approval through our works.  Some will give to charity so they can boast about it while others do good deeds to seek recognition.  Unfortunately, others believe good works will win God’s approval and receive them into heaven.
Sacrifice can be the same as good works for religious acceptance.  It has no place if it does not come from our hearts; it is only a vain, religious act.  God does not want our sacrifice, He wants our obedience.  Obedience does come from the heart, and God wants our hearts.
When we accept Christ as our Savior, we should seek to obey Him and His Word.  When we obey Jesus and His Will for our lives, it can demonstrate our loyalty to Him.  We cannot accept Christ and continue to live in our worldly ways like they do not matter.  Turning from sinful ways shows great obedience to God as His Word.
We will not grow spiritually if we choose to live on good works alone.  We need to obey God’s Word, surrender to His Will, and love Him with all of our heart.  This will draw us closer to Christ, and we will grow in our faith.
When we choose to live on the efforts of our works, we miss out on the fellowship with Christ, and we will completely miss the mark of what it means to be a Christian.  We will also miss the opportunities and blessings God has for us.  We must be faithful in obeying Him.
It is not a bad thing to do good for others.  Actually it is something the Lord expects from Christians; to live out what He has called them to do.  But good works do not take place for what Christ has accomplished.  His sacrifice that paid our penalty frees us from the bondage of sacrifice, and we are free to do good for others.