Many people have concluded that any kind of worship is acceptable to God, once praise and prayers are offered, and because of this we now have a wide variety of worship styles, that are actively being practiced and promulgated, ranging from disco to rock, from serpent handling to meetings that only cater to deliverance.
In order for any worship to be acceptable to God, it must be done in spirit and in truth, in spirit meaning that it is done with sincerity from the heart, and in truth, meaning that it must follow the criteria given in the scriptures. When worship is done based on emotion, convenience, popularity or erroneous ideas, then it becomes vain in nature, and therefore cannot be accepted by God.
This is what king Saul tried to do after he came back from the battle with the Amalekites. He was given a specific command not to take any of the spoils of the war, but in his own mind he saw an opportunity where he could possibly enhance the worship of God through disobedience, by substituting the stipulations of God with a plan of his own devising. At the time it seemed like a good, plausible idea, for a worthy and upright cause, but he later found out that his actions in saving the cattle for sacrifice, would inevitably cause him to be dethroned. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all [that was] good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing [that was] vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
15:10 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,
15:11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul [to be] king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
15:12 And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.
15:13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed [be] thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.
15:14 And Samuel said, What [meaneth] then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
15:15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.
This excuse thus given by Saul may seem to have weight when viewed in the context of the sacrificial offerings which were ordained of God, but the scriptures teach us that in all of our efforts and eargerness to worship God, the instructions He has given to do so must be followed to the letter. The action of king Saul drew a strong response from God and His servant Samuel, and the entire experience contains very important lessons for us living in the twenty-first century. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 15:16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.
15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.
15:23 For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king.
There are very important lessons regarding the worship of God that should be deduced from this story, and incorporated into our own experience, for in our day there is seen a very great departure from the plain teachings of God’s word as it pertains to true worship. For this reason we are going to study six sacred truths that pertain to the worship of our Creator, and it is the will of God that everyone should learn from the errors of those who have gone before to avoid the snare of vain worship.
Truth # (1) Sincerity or good intentions do not make a wrong course of action right nor acceptable with God. It is true that in the times of ignorance God winks, but His “Winking” should not be construed as a sign of approval, nor should it be a license for any one to continue in a course of action that is contrary to His revealed will.
When a person worships God in sincerity, but contrary to His instructions, God accepts the sincerity, but never the error, for if He were to do this, then everyone would be justified and confirmed in adopting their own ideas of worship, which would then create a state of confusion for believers and non-christians alike. The broad road that leads to Neverland is often paved with good intentions, however, when the light of truth shines distinctly on our pathway, God then requires that we make the necessary changes so that we can worship in truth.
This fact was made plain when some of the disciples of John were baptized without a knowledge of the work of the Holy Ghost. They were sincere in their actions but they needed to comply with the conditions given by God. Let’s read:
Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
19:5 When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
The same sacred truth was reiterated in the experience of Cornelius who was sincere in His worship of God. According to the scriptures, this man who was a centurion of the Italian band was devout, meaning that he had a deep spiritual commitment to God, he gave much alms to the people, meaning that he manifested that benevolence which is born of God, he prayed always, unlike many modern day Christians do, and he feared God with all of his house, meaning that he and his entire family were living in accordance with all they knew to be right.
However, one very important component was missing, and although God accepted all that he did in sincerity, yet that one missing link must be put in place in order that his worship be done in spirit and in truth. Let’s read:
Acts 10:1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian [band],
10:2 [A] devout [man], and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
10:3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
10:4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
10:5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for [one] Simon, whose surname is Peter:
10:6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
Truth # (2) If God has to choose between praise and obedience, He always chooses obedience, for this is an integral part of worship. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.
The same truth was confirmed by Christ when He observed the oblations and sacrifices of the multitudes. They offered much praise but their hearts were far removed from Him through the erroneous teachings they had adopted. Let’s read:
Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me.
15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
Truth # (3) Praise minus obedience is equal to flattery, in cases where a deliberate disregard or disdain for the commandments of God is harbored. There is a saying that has become quite popular in Christian circles, which carries with it a vague and misleading meaning that many sincere people have subscribed to. It says “When the praises go up the blessings come down”.
This saying reminds us of Santa Claus, who in response to the songs and jingle bells that are rendered in his favor, responds with gifts and toys for everyone. God is not Santa Claus, neither does he have to be bribed or praised into blessing anyone. In fact, the blessings of God come upon the heads of the righteous and the disobedient alike, regardless of whether praise and gratitude is offered. Let’s read:
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Psalms 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, [for] the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell [among them].
The appropriate response to God’s blessings is not only praise and thanksgiving, but obedience to His every word, which is of much greater importance to Him. This truth He has plainly stated in His word in several different passages of scripture. Let’s read:
Micah 6:6 Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, [and] bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
6:7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, [or] with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn [for] my transgression, the fruit of my body [for] the sin of my soul?
6:8 He hath showed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
As Christians, we should be very careful not to flatter God, by saying what He likes to hear, or by telling Him sweet little lies, without the required, corresponding works of obedience from a willing heart, for this is what the relationship with God had deteriorated into with the Hebrews. Their voices were heard in loud praises, while their personal lives were in direct opposition to what God had required. Praise and thanksgiving should be given in conjunction with a life that lives up to all the truth which one has heard and understood. Let’s read:
Psalms 78:1 Give ear, O my people, [to] my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
78:3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
78:4 We will not hide [them] from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
78:5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
78:6 That the generation to come might know [them, even] the children [which] should be born; [who] should arise and declare [them] to their children:
And then the valid reasons are given. Let’s read:
Psalms 78:7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
78:8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation [that] set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
78:10 They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;
78:11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had showed them.
78:36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
78:37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
Truth # (4) Wrong does not become right with the passage of time, nor are we at liberty to make the truths of God’s word adaptable to our own modern ideas and standards of right and wrong. The truths and principles of the Bible are eternal in nature, and will stand the test of time in any generation.
Some of the practices and indulgences now taking place under the garb of Christianity would make the apostles turn in their graves, for we have now come to an era where there seems to be no absolute truth anymore, and millions are holding the scriptures as being subjective instead of objectively.
As a direct result we have now have the popular theology of relativism, where millions are doing what is right in their own eyes, without any regard to what the Bible teaches on this very point Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Psalms 119:89 Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple.
19:8 The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes.
19:9 The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether.
19:10 More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: [and] in keeping of them [there is] great reward.
Truth # (5) If the only way to do good is by using and evil or unscriptural method, then we should not utilize that method at all, for very great danger will accrue as a result. This is one of the errors made by the Hebrews as they endeavored to worship God using material representations of The Deity,
a practice which God has specifically prohibited. Let’s read:
Exodus 32:3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which [were] in their ears, and brought [them] unto Aaron.
32:4 And he received [them] at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
32:5 And when Aaron saw [it], he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow [is] a feast to the LORD.
32:6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
The worship service here described was advertised not as an oblation to pagan gods, but rather as a feast to the Lord, so that if anyone asked about the day’s proceedings, the assuring answer would be given, that they were involved in church services.
That’s why it’s very important for us to observe God’s take on the same matter. Let’s read:
Exodus 32:7 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted [themselves]:
32:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it [is] a stiffnecked people:
32:30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.
32:31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
This leads us to the sixth and final sacred truth regarding the dangers of substitute forms of worship.
Truth # (6) When many people are doing something wrong, that fact does not make it right. The worship of the true God is not based on popular opinion, and anyone desiring to worship in spirit and truth cannot be swayed by rulers, politicians, governors, news media, or what the majority of the populace votes for. As a general rule of thumb, when the majority of people approve of an agenda regarding worship, it is usually wrong and in direct opposition to that God has stated in His word. Jesus alluded to this fact as He described the broad and the narrow way. Let’s read:
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
This scripture found fulfillment in the experience of king Jeroboam who instituted a substitute day and form of worship to cater to the majority of the Hebrews, after the kingdom of Israel was divided, following the death of king Solomon. In an effort to sustain the spirituality and loyalty of the people, he made two calves of gold, something that would gain instant and popular appeal, and through this action, he subverted the worship of the true God by leading His people into idolatry of the darkest hue. Let’s read:
1st kings 12:26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:
12:27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, [even] unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.
12:28 Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves [of] gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
12:29 And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.
12:30 And this thing became a sin: for the people went [to worship] before the one, [even] unto Dan.
12:31 And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
12:32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that [is] in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.
12:33 So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, [even] in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.
In our day the very same error has been repeated in the form of a substitute day of worship, namely Sunday, for which there is no scriptural authority. There are also substitute priests and ministers who have been ordained by the various theological seminaries across the land, many of which lead “alternative” lifestyles that are in flagrant violation of God’s will and His law. There are also many “High places” that have sprung up in the form of mega-churches, that teach a gospel which God neither recognizes no ordained.
Yet within many of these congregations there are millions of Christians who, like Cornelius, and the disciples of John whom Paul met, are serving God to the best of their knowledge, giving much alms to the wrong people, and praying to God always, with their households. Like Cornelius, many of them have the fear of the Lord before their faces, and their benevolence and sincerity has come up as a memorial before God.
However, there is one main component to the relationship with God that’s still missing, which is the element of truth, as it pertains to the God-ordained Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and this last, but crucial aspect must be addressed and corrected, in order for the worship that is offered, to be done in spirit and in truth. Let’s read:
Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
20:10 But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates:
20:11 For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Exodus 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, [for] a perpetual covenant.
31:17 It [is] a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
The word “Perpetual” is very important, for the same word is used when speaking of the rainbow. Let’s read:
Genesis 9:12 And God said, This [is] the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that [is] with you, for perpetual generations:
9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
9:14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
9:15 And I will remember my covenant, which [is] between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
9:16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that [is] upon the earth.
That’s why a promise is made to all the Corneliuses out there in Christendom, who are sincere in their worship of God, but out of harmony with what he requires. Let’s read:
Isaiah 58:12 And [they that shall be] of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, [from] doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words:
58:14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].
God is now calling all sincere people and Christians everywhere to read and understand what He has specified in the fourth commandment, as being essential to filling out the entire picture of a well-rounded relationship with Him. Some may be sincere, and others may be sincerely wrong, but God who is rich in mercy is calling the world back to the original and only Sabbath, even Saturday, for it is the day of rest given to us for time and for eternity.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms this sacred truth to all who are sincere and honest-hearted. Let’s read:
Isaiah 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
66:23 And it shall come to pass, [that] from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
May God add His blessing to the study and doing of His every word. God bless!