Mark 12:33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

This scribe answered Jesus’ question by recalling the rules written down from the Jews’ history; and Jesus confirmed this as being correct.

We need to have a right attitude towards others in our life that is in line with how much Christ loves us.

God has always tried to encourage people to love Him more rather than just following rules.

Loving someone without limit and without wanton reason can be difficult unless it is done with Christ.

Proverbs 21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Most religions and even organisation have a moral code by which they say they live; those moral codes are important to them.

Just the same, we have a code by which we should live as Christians showing love, mercy, justice and truth to others.

If we want to be effective Christians we need to show others we do live by that code and we stick to it.

When done with the right spirit obeying these ways are much more important to God than sacrifices we make.

Hosea 12:6 So you, by the help of your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.

Hosea was pleading with the people of Judah to turn back to God at this stage in their history. It was God who created us and allowed us to start living with Him; but us who continually run the other way!

God continues to call us back so we can live a wonderful life with Him, and us who continue to ignore God’s precious calling.

God wants us to show the same mercy and grace to others which He gives us. But we must also be patient and wait on Him.