God loves us so much, he sent his Son Jesus Christ to die on
a cross for our sins so we could be free from eternal punishment in hell; free
from slavery to sin day-to-day; and free to walk in daily fellowship with him,
listening to him, and doing what he teaches us (see John 9:23-25). Yet, many
people who profess his name do not give God the honor due his name. They do not
show him proper respect.
Even many of the leaders in our churches show contempt for
his name. How do they do this? They do this through teaching a false gospel
absent of the cross, i.e. absent of death to sin and obedience to Christ’s
commands. They also do this through empty praise and worship to God, for truly
they are followers of humankind more than they are followers of Christ, and they
live to please humankind more than they live to please Jesus Christ with their
lives and ministry.
So, God is displeased with these disingenuous forms of
worship. He would rather the doors of our churches be shut than for us to offer
shallow forms of worship and praise to him, which may stir the emotions, but do
not produce changed hearts, minds and lives for Jesus Christ. What the Lord
desires of his people is that we turn from our sin, that we walk in obedience
to Christ’s commands and to his teachings, and that we practice truthfulness
and faithfulness in all we do, but especially in honoring him as our only God
and husband. He desires that we worship him through the giving of our lives to
him on the altar of sacrifice, living lives holy pleasing to God. This is true
worship, and this is the kind God requires.
The Battle for Truth
/ An Original Work / May 18, 2013
Based off Malachi 1-4
I love you. Honor me.
Tell the truth. You’ll be free.
Sing My praise all your days.
I will give all you need.
Turn from sin; cleansed within.
Stand in awe of My Name.
Teach what’s true. Walk in peace.
Follow Christ, in His ways.
Show to God faithfulness.
Do not be adult’rous.
Do not shed shallow tears.
Do not be insincere.
I have sent messengers,
Who have giv’n my address.
They call for repentance,
And they warn of judgment.
I, the Lord, do not change,
So return – blessings gain:
Healing comes; joyfulness;
Freedom from your distress.
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