Vain Worship

Isaiah  29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Worship is the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for God, worship is an act of praising, exulting, fearing and showing our deepest love for God. 

God is a supreme being who commands worship from men.. He instituted worship from the children of Israel after the exodus, this is by going to the temple every sabbath days... 

But, our worship and service to God can only be acceptable if it comes from our heart and not from a hypocritical heart, else, our worship becomes vain before God. 

Jesus Christ in His teaching condemn the worship of the pharisees who only professed religiosity by their performance of religious codes and ceremonies. However, their performance of their religious works did not change their hearts. 

They could thus maintain an outward performance of religious rules, but at the same time maintain wickedness in their hearts. 

Luke  11:39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.  11:40 Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?  11:41 But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.  11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 

Such are the likes of many today, they worship God in the sanctuary but their characters and behaviours outside the four conners of the house of God does not speak of a true believer who has received a new nature in Christ. 

Many who had just committed adultery and fornication will still come to the sanctuary of God to lift hand of praises to God, 

Some will engage in immoralities, fraudulent actives and matter bring the proceeds or tithes to the house of God as an offering, others use it for charity and think they can please God with their act of benevolence. 

Many others  arbour resentment, hatred, bitterness, and  unforgiving, they preach holiness and righteousness in public but in secret they are full of the works of evil. They prophecy in the name of God, but it is for their selfish interest and lustful desire.  The Lord declare their worship is in vain. 

Exodus  20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

God warns the hypocrites who worship Him in vain, those who pretends to represent God with their outward religious appearance but their heart is yet to be regenerated by the refining fire of the day of pentecost... God will never overlook them, His anger comes shortly. 

How  have you been worshiping God today?  Are your services and worship to God not a representation of a hypocritical acts? 

You can deceive people, but you can never deceive God, come out of your pretence and surrender totally to God so you can be saved. 

God is calling you today through Jesus Christ, all your past worship are in vain and unacceptable, repent from your deceit and act of hypocrisy so as your worship, service and sacrifices can become acceptable unto God. 

God bless you. 

Pray key:

1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name 

2. Lord, forgive me for being an hypocrite in Jesus Christ name. 

3. Lord, help me to live my whole life for you and let my worship be acceptable unto you in Jesus Christ name. 

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ. Amen.