Let me state from the outset that, the question of vain worship is by no means related to false worship, neither does it pertains to one’s free gift of eternal life and salvation. For as every believer should know, it is by grace we have been saved, through faith – and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.
However, we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. We need to stress on these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
One of the good works God prepared in advance for us to do is, to worship Him; that means, coming before Him and expressing our relationship to Him in reverence, gratitude and adoration.
For example it is stated in the Psalms, “Oh come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (Psalms 95:6-7).
Ascribe to the Lord O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord Glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the Glory due to His name; bring an offering and come into His courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him all the earth” (Psalms 96:7-9, 29:1-2).
It is imperative that the matter of vain worship be thoroughly examined by all true and sincere believers, because the worse indictment which is labeled on those who worship the one and only true God is that of worshiping the true God in vain.
Jesus, quoting from the prophet Isaiah said to the Pharisees, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written; ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men; for laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.” And He said to them, “You have let go the commandments of God and are holding on to the traditions of men” (Mark 7: 6-9).
True worship in our new dispensation is defined as, “The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).
As believers we have been given the prerogative to judge ourselves; for if we judge ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. It is therefore imperative that we all judge ourselves so as to assure ourselves as to whether or not we are worshiping the true God in vain.
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