Is God Pleased With Your Religion

Is God Pleased With Your Religion?

One of the things for which we are most thankful is that we have freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our consciences. Freedom of religion is one of the mighty bulwarks of national greatness which has made America the nation it is today. Its importance cannot be over emphasized.

But because we allow every man to worship God as he sees fit does not prove that every man's worship is acceptable to God.

THREE COMMON ASSUMPTIONS

It is, however, a common assumption that if a person is religious, God must be pleased.

Another widespread idea is that we all are worshiping the same God but only in different ways.

And a third somewhat related assumption is that it is of small importance how we worship God. The statement is frequently heard, "We are all going to the same place, but by different routes."

Actually man has not worshiped one but many gods. It is true that the same gods have been worshiped by different peoples under different names, but it is also a matter of history and present fact that countless wholly distinct gods have been objects of worship.

Contrary to the teaching of evolution, there has not been a gradual, upward development in the race's concept of God. The opposite has been the case.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans chapter one that "when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful . . . and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things." (Romans 1:21,23)

Old Testament history tells about individuals and the nation Israel bearing witness to the true God in the midst of idolatrous nations who worshiped false gods. When God delivered Israel out of Egypt, He visited plagues upon the objects worshiped as gods by the Egyptians.

God commanded Israel, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3). But Israel frequently fell away from its knowledge of the true God into idolatry and was punished for it. Perhaps you recall the account of the struggle between Elijah and the four hundred prophets of Baal.

Now if the four hundred prophets of Baal were worshiping the same God as Elijah but only under a different name, why didn't He answer by fire and consume the sacrifices upon their altars? Why was it that only the God of Elijah answered by fire and made His presence and power known?

WE MUST WORSHIP THE TRUE GOD

The Apostle Paul tells us that the "wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness". (Romans 1:18)

The truth suppressed as mentioned by Paul is "that which may be known of God" as Creator. the race has historically and repeatedly "changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator". (Romans 1:25)

So God is not only not pleased with such religion, but His wrath is made known against it. And your religion may not please God.

The God who reveals Himself as Creator to the mind of man has also revealed Himself in the Bible. The climax of revelation was given when the Son of God became man. In view of His revealing God to man, the Son of God is called the "Word."

The Apostle John says of Him, "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth". (John 1:14)

Thus is it that the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son, could say, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father." (John 14:9) And again, "I and my Father are one". (John 10:30)

This does not mean identity of persons but identical natures. The God of the Bible, who is revealed by Christ, is a triune God Å one God existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

WE MUST WORSHIP IN THE RIGHT WAY

It is possible to acknowledge the right God but fail to approach and worship Him in the right way. In a land such as ours where the Christian concept of God is widely held, the belief that there is an all-wise, all-good and all-powerful Supreme Being is common. "The devils also believe, and tremble". (James 2:19)

But it is not enough just to believe that there is a Supreme Being Ä not enough to believe in the right Supreme Being. It is necessary to realize that the sinful rebellion of the human heart has separated us from Him, and if not remedied, will earn for us a place in that place "prepared for the devil and his angels". (Matthew 25:41). And it is necessary to accept by faith God's provision in Christ for our restoration to His friendship and favor.

In explaining why Israel failed to have a right relationship to God, the Apostle Paul points out that their approach to God was wrong. He said "They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge". (Romans 10:2) They did not seek Him by faith but by "works of the law". (Romans 9:31-32)

Perhaps you believe in the God of the Bible but you are still far away from Him and unacceptable to Him simply because you have not recognized that sin has separated you from Him and that Christ is the only way back to Him.

The Lord Jesus Christ said of Himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.". (John 14:6).

CHRIST THE WAY TO GOD

In 1 John 5:12 we read this, "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." And it is expressed this way in 1 John 2:23, "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father."

And again, "Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son". (2 John 9)

In answering the question, "Is God pleased with your religion?", you want to be sure first of all that you worship the right God, and second you want to be sure that you come to Him in the right way. And Christ alone is the right WAY.

It is fatally wrong to seek to approach God on the basis of our "good works." We cannot produce character and conduct pleasing to Him. God's verdict concerning us is expressed in the words of Romans 3:22-23: "For there is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

It pleases God that we should approach Him by faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing pleases the Father more than that we should trust His Son. We should trust Him both because He is a true revelation of God and the only Redeemer of men. To seek to approach God on the basis of human merit does not please Him at all.

IS YOUR RELIGION PLEASING TO GOD?

THE GOSPEL STANDARD

AUTHOR UNKNOWN