OBEDIENCE: The Foundation of Worship

1 Chronicles 15:13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.


As we plunge into 2008, so many are making resolutions and vows to God. Some vow to lose weight. Others vow to give more. Some decide to pay down debt. With all the "good" intentions of the saints, I still hear God saying that He requires obedience in order for anything to be made new. Repentance is so needed in the Body of Christ. Rather than trying to figure out a "new" way, God wants His people to simply trust Him and BE OBEDIENT.

We get so creative and so deep trying to increase our worship and praise to God. Yet, He is calling us to simply follow the protocol He has already set in place. Worship is not about creativity. Worship is not about emotion. Our emotions stem from the soul, but those who worship God must do so in SPIRIT and in TRUTH. We often forget that the foundation of worship is simple OBEDIENCE.

We try to do everything to please God except what He has called, ordained and commanded us to do. Obedience is better than sacrifice, but many are in a downward spiral, because we don't trust God and His word. We think we can worship Him better than the instruction He has given. We think we can love Him in a better way than He wants to be loved.


Isaiah 65:1 I WAS [ready to be] inquired of by those who asked not; I was [ready to be] found by those who sought Me not. I said, Here I am, here I am [says I AM] to a nation [Israel] that has not called on My name.
Isaiah 65:2 I have spread out My hands all the day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts--


God gave me instructions to share this Scripture with His people. In this last season, our Father waited on His people to seek Him, yet many of us failed to do so. Instead of ministering to Him, we sought and worshipped a form of ministry. Instead of becoming part of the Body, we worshipped and honored the church. Unfortunately, many have been deceived, believing that God is pleased simply because we stamped His name on it. Yet, God is saying that as He reached out to us, we ignored Him. We were busy, but not beneficial to the Kingdom.

The Father has waited on a rebellious people - people who refuse to hear and obey instruction. We have become a people who think we know better than God. Truly, the Church has turned to the thoughts of men. I see how we have "explained" away every type of sin. Everything is now tolerated. We intellectualize every excuse imaginable rather than just living holy. Sancitification is now the exception rather than the rule in the Body of Christ. We have moved into a place where God's people feel they are smarter than the Creator Himself.

When will we begin again to value salvation - the promise of eternal life with our Heavenly Father? Rather than arguing and philosophying about whether a drink of wine is a sin, where is the one that will say, "It's just not worth risking my salvation over a drink of wine. Whether it's a sin or not, I'm not willing to take a chance in disappointing my Father"? Oh, where is the genuine FEAR of God?


Isaiah 66:3 [The acts of the hypocrite's worship are as abominable to God as if they were offered to idols.] He who kills an ox [then] will be as guilty as if he slew {and} sacrificed a man; he who sacrifices a lamb {or} a kid, as if he broke a dog's neck {and} sacrificed him; he who offers a cereal offering, as if he offered swine's blood; he who burns incense [to God], as if he blessed an idol. [Such people] have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations;
Isaiah 66:4 So I also will choose their delusions {and} mockings, their calamities {and} afflictions, and I will bring their fears upon them--because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they did not listen {or} obey. But they did what was evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.


People of God, holiness and sanctification MUST be prevalent in God's people. Too many of us have walked as hypocrites and tried to offer worship unto our God. Yet, we refuse to believe that worship has been rejected. The worship of a hypocrite is as offensive to God as offerings to an idol. Before we decided to do something "new" for God, can we simply resolve in our hearts and mind that the old word must first be fulfilled? The commandments already set forth must be completed.

God is spewing out the lukewarm in this season. We have already been warned, and we've already seen exposure. Those who delight in those things that offend God will see their fears realized in the midst of disobedience. Be not deceived. WORSHIP CANNOT TAKE PLACE WITHOUT OBEDIENCE.

Selah.


For more on what God is sharing concerning this topic, listen to the message "A Call to Spiritual Maturity", recorded on BlogTalk radio January 3, 2008.