It’s funny sometimes how we attempt to control God. Even in our faith, if we are not careful, we start to build up rituals and ways of doing things all in hopes that God will bless us for doing these things. The truth upside down is that these “things” aren’t bad at all and in fact can and are very good…… BUT…. what’s important is not these “things”……but the heart in which we apply them.
Mark 7:1-4 (TNIV)
1 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)
The Pharisees were a group of religious leaders who advocated minute obedience to the Jewish law and traditions. Jesus often exposed their lack of true heart as adhering to traditions and expounding on the law primarily as a means to somehow control God, make themselves look good and lord over others.
So, I was thinking, what do we do today that are maybe similar? Maybe these are even a little more subtle:
Going to church: If I go to church then I am a good Christian. Okay, I don’t want to discourage going to church. But what I DO WANT TO DO is to encourage you to search your heart. We meet with our friends, family and neighbors (the church) each week to honor God, to praise Him and to worship Him. Being in the building, or meeting with our friends, family and neighbors is , well, it’s just that: being there! But praising and worshiping God together in unity and faith is a powerful testament to where our hearts are.
Praying: Prayer is so very important. There are many types of prayer, all of them are talking to God: Intercessory prayer (praying for someone else), corporate prayer (prayer at gatherings and meetings, or around the table)…..but what is most important is the prayer of a loving heart to a loving Father….God…indeed, Jesus! Prayer is not just a ritual….but is an intimate conversation with God.
Communion: Each week at LifePoint we take communion together as a church. Indeed, many of us have been known to take communion in restaurants before a meal or even at home before a meal. What is most important is that each time we break bread and each time we drink of the cup…..we remember the deepest sacrifice that was made simply for US. Communion is a time of remembrance as well as thankfulness for our a Father who loves us that much….so much that he would die on a cross, a horrible death so that we might live a new life. It’s not about the frequency you take communion, nor is it about the ritual itself…..it’s about your heart!
Clothes: Do you attend a church where everyone is expected to dress up and if you don’t you don’t fit in? Bible: Do you attend a church where only one English translation is accepted and all others are looked down upon or even personified with evil? Music: Do you attend a church where the only good music is their music? Where other types of music in worship are forbidden?
Does this list go on and on?
We simply can’t simplify the mystery or conquer the unknowns in our life by building rituals to appease God or to make ourselves feel like we deserve to be blessed……… or even to feel that we are right and everyone else is wrong. The truth is we deserve nothing, even more, we deserve death. But the truth also is, God loves us so much that He doesn’t give us the eternal death we deserve…….he wants to be in relationship with us. All we have to do is choose to be in relationship with Him……and indeed, we will live an eternal life with Him. That, my friend is called “GRACE”.
Seek a relationship with your creator, with God; indeed…with Jesus….not in the things you do as much as in your heart. And then…the things you do will reflect what is in your heart.