True Worship Over Religious Rituals

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

The Lord does not desire the idol worship of tradition and religion. God’s desire is for to honor and glorify His name in true worship.

Today’s devotional reading: Isaiah 1:9-20

The Lord does not hide what pleases or displeases Him. As it is said in Hebrews 11:6, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

As shown throughout Old Testament scripture, the Israelites became a people of tradition and rituals, rather than a people of true worship. They treated the Lord as Gentiles treated idol gods; they would come to God with their offerings, and afterwards, carry on living disobediently. It got to a point when the Lord rebuked their offerings, asking them, “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me (Is. 1:11)?” Because their offerings lacked faith and obedience, God instructed them to no longer bring their futile (meaningless) sacrifices to Him (Is. 1:13).

Jesus taught the Samaritan woman that one who desires to worship the Lord must worship Him in spirit and in truth. What does such worship look like?

1. Such worship extends beyond the sanctuary. The sanctuary is a place of fellowship where we come together to learn, to be encouraged, and uplifted in our spirits. The sanctuary is a place where we praise the Lord together. However, Christ tasked us with ministering the good news of His salvation to all people, which means we must do the work beyond the walls of the sanctuary. Keep in mind that most of Jesus’ ministry occurred beyond the temple of Jerusalem.
2. Such worship is genuine and sincere. Those who walk in spirit and in truth must be genuine in their service to God and to others. Keep in mind, the greatest commandment is to love God wholeheartedly, and in that love, we are to love one another. So, the best way to move in spirit and in truth is to move in the kind of love that cares and is concerned. You must move with the same compassion for others that Christ moved with towards you.
3. Such worship leans on God’s guidance. We cannot properly walk in spirit and in truth without God’s guidance. You must heed the Holy Spirit, whose role is to lead and to guide you into all truth. When you heed the Holy Spirit’s guidance, you can rest assured knowing that you will have lived in the manner of obedience that pleases the Lord.