The dilemma of vain worship

 

• • Vain worship is one of, if not the worse indictment that has been labeled on the Christian community. Jesus said quite emphatically; "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 --- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them; "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.” (Mark 7:7-9).
  • Jesus also said; “You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when 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." Here we see plainly what defines vain worship, it is not something nebulous, or far fetched that is difficult or impossible to verify, and therefore cannot be condemned in the affirmative, because Jesus the word of God, the Righteous Judge states plainly that vain worship is:-
  • Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men
  • Laying aside, or rejecting the commandment of God, and holding the tradition of men
  • Jews know what they worship because salvation is of the Jews
  • True worshipers worship the Father in spirit and in truth   

  While believers are in the process of observing the Passover season, I think it is imperative that all true believers should consider whether our worship is in sincerity and truth or is it all in vain. Remember, the only sign Jesus Christ gave to the evil and adulterous generation to prove that He is indeed the true Messiah is the sign of the prophet Jonah.

  Jesus stated quite emphatically, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:39-40).

  Therefore, I beg to ask the question, if after the Sabbath (Saturday), is the first day of the week (Sunday) and it has just began to dawn (meaning it was not yet the first day, it only began to dawn towards the first day), Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb, and Christ had already risen, He was no longer in the tomb.

  How can anyone calculate three days and three nights from Friday night to Saturday night, or from Thursday night to Saturday night as it is commonly taught? And by the way, if a day consist of twelve hours of light which is called day, and twelve hours of darkness called night, how can a new begin either at sunset or at midnight? And Jesus specifically said that He would spend three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, which is the only sign that He gave to this evil and adulterous generation.

  The choice is yours as to whom you should believe.

  With brotherly love

  Lucius Joseph