The standard is set
It sounds harsh to say that God does not accept the worship of all people. It sounds sort of arrogant and exclusive, and for some even off-putting to say their efforts at acknowledging God are not accepted. Yet, if we will step back and look at who God is — and who we are, maybe we will come to understand that God created all that exists and therefore is the One that sets the standards for the ways in which He will receive worship.
I once directed youth camps during the summers. There were 20 or so people on staff, each with various responsibilities. One summer as I walked across campus while groups were meeting, I noticed that the students for the class at the swimming pool were standing outside the gate instead of in the pool learning games. I walked that way to see what emergency had occurred only to find that our staffer had sent word that she wasn’t teaching that afternoon. I immediately assumed she was ill or injured and headed to staff housing to check on her. Upon arriving, I could hear a TV playing. I knocked on the door and found her sitting in her bed watching a rerun of a show. She wasn’t sick. She wasn’t injured. She simply wanted to watch the show that afternoon. She decided on her own to determine how and when she would fulfill her responsibilities as a staffer. As the director, I begged to differ. Her options were to get dressed for the pool and get to the pool immediately or immediately begin to pack up her stuff and vacate the premises. I had been placed in a position of authority over her (and while I would have to call my boss) to effect her dismissal.
By the fact that God created us and will judge us, He has the authority over us and sets the standard for what acceptable worship is from the created to the Creator. Yet this isn’t just a lesson for those outside Christianity, but even more importantly those within the family of faith. As we saw in the Sermon on the Mount in previous weeks, man seems to always take the easy way, short cut, the bare minimum in our obedience, service and worship to God. As children of God it is even more imperative on us, since we should know better and more fully, what acceptable worship of God involves. And it is not simply based on our agenda or preferences. It is God focus from a position of humility and homage to our Savior and Lord.
Pressing on…
Ron Tipton, Senior Pastor
