The world is divided over the matter of worshiping and serving God. To be sure, most people are perfectly content with things as they are, and they have been lulled into a false sense of security which says: “We are all one, no matter where we come from, or what our religious practices, we are all God’s family.” Unfortunately, this isn’t a biblical view.
Basically, the viewpoint of the world is that religion is important, but which particular religion one espouses isn’t important. People can be heard to say, “Join the church of your choice” or, “Attend the church of your choice this Sunday.” Does it matter to which church you belong? Is one religion as good as another? The Bible answers this question in a decisive manner, and its answer is that it matters very much which religion one espouses.
Jesus said that some religion is vain religion, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8-9). Also, Paul condemned the Galatians for adhering to another gospel than the one that the apostles taught (Galatians 1:6-9). Peter warned that “… there were false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed” (2 Peter 2:2-2). These and many other passages teach us that it matters very much to God which religion one espouses.
Vain worship means “empty” worship. Many people actively pursue some form of religion, and they do so sincerely, but sincerity isn’t enough. One’s religion and worship must be true (John 4:24). The one and only source of truth is the Word of God (John 17:17).
Are you involved in a religion that pleases God or that pleases you? Leave your human, vain religion for the one taught in the New Testament.
David Weaks