Since, then, the days are evil and the one who is at work has the power, we ought to give heed to ourselves and seek out the righteous ordinances of the Lord.
"What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord. I am full of whole burnt offerings, and the fat of lambs and the blood of bulls and goats I do not desire; nor though you come to appear before me. For who has required these things from your hands? You shall trample my court no more. If you bring fine flour, it is vain; incense is an abomination to me; your new moons and sabbaths I cannot endure."
These things, then, He abolished, that the new law of our Lord Jesus Christ, being without the yoke of compulsion, might have an offering not made by human hands.
We ought, then, since we are not without understanding, to perceive the mind of the goodness of our Father; for He speaks to us, desiring that we, not led astray like them, should seek how we are to approach Him.
To us, then, He says thus: "The sacrifice to the Lord is a contrite heart; an odor of sweet fragrance to the Lord is a heart that glorifies its Maker." We ought, then, brothers, to be exact concerning our salvation, lest the evil one, having wrought an entrance of deceit in us, should fling us away from our life.