Honoring God
Jesus Teaches about True Worship
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
Piety That Honors God
Isaiah 1:11-17 The Message
11-12 “Why this frenzy of sacrifices?”
God’s asking.
“Don’t you think I’ve had my fill of burnt sacrifices,
rams and plump grain-fed calves?
Don’t you think I’ve had my fill
of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats?
When you come before me,
whoever gave you the idea of acting like this,
Running here and there, doing this and that—
all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?
13-17 “Quit your worship charades.
I can’t stand your trivial religious games:
Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—
meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more!
Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!
You’ve worn me out!
I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion,
while you go right on sinning.
When you put on your next prayer-performance,
I’ll be looking the other way.
No matter how long or loud or often you pray,
I’ll not be listening.
And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing
people to pieces. and your hands are bloody.
Go home and wash up.
Clean up your act.
Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings
so I don’t have to look at them any longer.
Say no to wrong.
Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
Go to bat for the defenseless.
For Reflection
Ok, it's time for plain language again. Believing in God, going to church, praying, giving money, singing praises, wearing a pious demeanor, reading scripture, and participating in the fellowship of believers helps one understand one's faith and brings one closer to God. But all of these actions are of little value if they do not influence your every-day behavior. There are not two separate offices in life; church and everything else. What good is one's understanding and wisdom if it does not invade one's choices. Compartmentalizing God in one's life is worse than not knowing God at all.
Pray
Pray and contemplate your choices away from your wisdom practices. Pray so that you will integrate your spiritual life with your civic life.
| 
