Worship in Spirit
Scripture
“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 NKJV)
Commentary
This is a no-brainer, but it's a serious problem. It's easy to slip into external worship. Just stop reading and praying; stop depending upon God, being thankful to God, and you are there.
Obviously the situation to which Christ refers in the above passage has gone beyond mere slothfulness. These men were teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. They would put aside the commandments of God to satisfy their greed. Notice the context.
“For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, Whatever profit you might have received from me [is] a gift [to God] —— then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.” (Matthew 15:4-6 NKJV)
Hopefully, this kind of sin is not practiced in your place of worship. However, one must continue to diligently serve the Lord in a spirit of worship. Many church traditions can become golden calves if one fails to plough his heart regularly.
Attendance may replace worship. One may sit in a pew every week and not worship. Also, giving may replace worship. Giving is a form of worship. However, remember God loves a cheerful giver, one who is giving out of thankfulness and not duty.
Therefore, it is important to police your heart on a regular basis. Make sure you come to worship when you come to church. Just as important, and where this all begins, make sure you worship Him every day.
“The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalms 51:17 NKJV)
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