We may hold a position, or title that makes us feel important, but the guy sitting in the pew next to us may be showing the love of God to the surrounding community more than those of us that hold titles.
It says in James 1:27 (NIV) “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
See…Jesus doesn’t care about titles, fund-raisers, conferences, and meetings-those are things that make US feel good about what we are doing for God; but God cares about what we are doing for those around us. Are we showing the love of God? Are we helping the destitute? Are we feeding the hungry? Are we showing kindness and compassion to those less fortunate than us?
I dare say the answer to most of those questions is, “No.” God does not want lip service…He wants foot service, hand service, and most of all, heart service!
It says in Amos 5:21-24 (MSG) …and this is God Almighty talking… “I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego music. When was the last time you sang to me?”
I‘d say that just about sums it up! God is saying He wants us to worship Him from our hearts! Making a big show of your “worship” on Sunday morning isn’t going to cut it! He wants you to worship Him all through the week…day by day…moment by moment when no one is looking, and that means helping those around you!
I have a plaque hanging in my home. I inherited it from my dad. It says this:
“Christ is the Head of this house,
The Unseen Host at every meal,
The Silent Listener to every conversation.”
There are times when I see it, and I have to hang my head in shame and ask for forgiveness for the things this Silent Listener heard me say! Maybe I said it about my neighbor…or some murderer I saw on the news; or maybe a politician, but my heart wasn’t right when I said what I said. Maybe they don’t KNOW Jesus in a personal way, so instead of judging, I need to share the Gospel. If we’d all do that-the world would be a better place!
Go to church. Serve God. Do all you can to raise up the church. ….But don’t just do things for Him on Sunday…do it all week-long! Be the hands and feet of Jesus!
Anita