June 21, 2007

  • Worthless Religiosity

    Isaiah 43:22-28 says, "Yet you have not called on Me, O Jacob; but you have become weary of Me, O Israel.  You have not brought to Me the sheep of your burnt offerings, nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices.  I have not burdened you with offerings, nor wearied you with incense.  You have bought Me not sweet cane with money, nor have you filled Me with the fat of your sacrifices; rather you have burdened Me with your sins, you have wearied Me with your iniquities.  I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.  Put Me in remembrance, let us argue our case together; state your cause, that you may be proved right.  Your first forefather sinned, and your spokesmen have transgressed against Me.  So I will pollute the princes of the sanctuary, and I will consign Jacob to the ban and Israel to revilement." (NASB)

    This passage is very similar to the first chapter of Isaiah (to read my thoughts on that chapter, see my previous article; What does God Want?)  We must understand first that this passage was referring to the Jews and how they were bringing empty sacrifices.  They were burdening and wearying God with their empty rituals and empty religiosity.  The Jews were outwardly following God; but, their heart was far from Him.  They did not really mean all that they said or had done for God.  God had His "fill" of their empty religiosity; the passage says that the fat of their sacrifice does not satisfy Him.

    The same is true for us as believers in Jesus Christ; He is not satisfied with our religiosity.  God does not want our empty sacrifices; He does not want gifts that our hearts are not in it.  If we are living for God with no passion and no heart, then we are living worthless lives and God is not pleased with that life.  Let us strive to worship Him in spirit and in truth; this means with everything that we are.  Let us not even try to worship Him if we are doing with no passion; if it is just an outward show.  God doesn't want empty sacrifices because they don't give Him what He rightfully deserves; it's like serving steak on a garbage can lid, not very appealing.  God deserves all of our lives; He deserves lives lived for His glory and honor.  He wants the fat of our sacrifices to fill Him; to bring Him praise.

    STOP WITH THE RELIGIOSITY AND LIVE WHOLEHEARTEDLY FOR GOD!