It is said: "People who live a life that contradicts what God has spoken through His Word, should not expect their prayers, their fasting, and their church attendance ...to save them from God's judgment."
Isaiah was a prophet that dealt with....religious people. Religious people are defined as people who say their prayers, remember the holy days, fast at certain times, attend church, and bring offerings to the Lord. The problem with these type of people both now and in Isaiah's day was: their hearts were far from Him. They had no passion in what they did...in fact, they had no interest or intention about having any type of friendship with the Lord.
It was the epic story of: religious hypocrisy simply means selective obedience. It was an example of mere religiosity vs. true spirituality.
In the days of Isaiah, incense was offered to the Lord when the people were in the Temple, a sweet fragrance to the Lord God. But, when the incense was mixed with the hypocrisy of the people, the offering of sweet incense becomes a nauseating stench to the Lord that culminates as an abomination to Him... all because their hearts were far from Him, they simply had no interest or passion for Him.
We are told how sin can hurt us...even destroy us if completed to its fullness. We are reminded to stay away from sexual sins, we are taught not to steal, we are encouraged not to be cruel...to man or animals. Yet, perhaps the most dangerous sin of all...is following the Lord only in outward form...doing things simply out of duty... keeping the Lord "happy"...so He will bless us!
How do you feel when someone tells you something you may want to hear...but they don't mean it. They are telling you this because they just want you to leave them alone...so they can go on doing whatever they want to do?
Another thing, when people choose to live their lives by what they want to do...and not interested on how the Lord would have them live their daily lives, it opens doors for other things to "come in". Holding grudges, taking advantage of others, abuse and cruelty find their way into peoples lives, just to name a few, and the focus of daily life...is on themselves.
In the Gospel of Saint John, chapter 4 and verse 24, it reads something like this:
" These are the kind of people the Father is looking for...those who are simply themselves and who are honest in their actions, before they approach the Father in worship.
God is a spirit...and His people who truly worship Him...must worship Him from their very spirit...that is to say their true selves...giving Him adoration that comes from a heart of passion."
It is a dangerous sin... the sin of being religious...because this sin says...you really don't need a Savior....you can make God happy... on your own.
Isaiah was fighting this sin in his day....until this sin brought its "reward"...the nation of Israel was destroyed and taken captive by a very cruel nation called Assyria. All the 12 tribes of Israel were carried off as slaves to faraway lands...for many years. 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel....never returned to their homeland....
A Gleaning from Isaiah 1:13-17
" Here they come" says the Lord. All the worship charades, the vanity of "selfish worship", the emptiness of their lives, and their gifts that are totally meaningless.
The incense...is not a sweet fragrance to Me...it is a nauseating stench...it has become an abomination to Me.
Yet they "obey" certain laws...celebration days, keeping the Sabbath, and even fast "on My behalf". It all makes me sick...and I can not bear anymore of their worthless assemblies...it's all a show....your hearts are far from Me.
Look at you!... says the Lord. You even lift your hands in a form of prayer...but I am covering My eyes from you. You begin to utter words...in an almost pagan chant...and you call this: prayer.
As for Me, I am not hearing a word of your so-called "prayers"...look at your hands that you lift up to me...they are covered in blood!
Your hands are covered in blood...because you tear one another to pieces. First, go and be cleansed before You come to Me...repent of the evil in your lives...renounce the darkness that lives in your hearts. Search for True Justice...let your hearts....search for Me!
You desire to honor Me?...You desire to have respect for My laws? Then read My Commandments with your hearts... and take to heart the Words you read.
How will I know My Word is in your hearts?....when I see you take up the struggles of the oppressed...when you get along side those "bent beneath their loads" in life....when you support the ways of True Justice!
Take a stand with the homeless, get involved with the fatherless, defend the cause of orphans, and fight for the rights of widows.
Then...bring your sacrifices to Me...come to church and light the incense...for it is then I will see your actions are supported with passion...a passion to follow Me and obey My Commandments.
For in that moment, you will know the meaning to true worship...because you will have found your delight...in Me."
Isaiah was a prophet that dealt with....religious people. Religious people are defined as people who say their prayers, remember the holy days, fast at certain times, attend church, and bring offerings to the Lord. The problem with these type of people both now and in Isaiah's day was: their hearts were far from Him. They had no passion in what they did...in fact, they had no interest or intention about having any type of friendship with the Lord.
It was the epic story of: religious hypocrisy simply means selective obedience. It was an example of mere religiosity vs. true spirituality.
In the days of Isaiah, incense was offered to the Lord when the people were in the Temple, a sweet fragrance to the Lord God. But, when the incense was mixed with the hypocrisy of the people, the offering of sweet incense becomes a nauseating stench to the Lord that culminates as an abomination to Him... all because their hearts were far from Him, they simply had no interest or passion for Him.
We are told how sin can hurt us...even destroy us if completed to its fullness. We are reminded to stay away from sexual sins, we are taught not to steal, we are encouraged not to be cruel...to man or animals. Yet, perhaps the most dangerous sin of all...is following the Lord only in outward form...doing things simply out of duty... keeping the Lord "happy"...so He will bless us!
How do you feel when someone tells you something you may want to hear...but they don't mean it. They are telling you this because they just want you to leave them alone...so they can go on doing whatever they want to do?
Another thing, when people choose to live their lives by what they want to do...and not interested on how the Lord would have them live their daily lives, it opens doors for other things to "come in". Holding grudges, taking advantage of others, abuse and cruelty find their way into peoples lives, just to name a few, and the focus of daily life...is on themselves.
In the Gospel of Saint John, chapter 4 and verse 24, it reads something like this:
" These are the kind of people the Father is looking for...those who are simply themselves and who are honest in their actions, before they approach the Father in worship.
God is a spirit...and His people who truly worship Him...must worship Him from their very spirit...that is to say their true selves...giving Him adoration that comes from a heart of passion."
It is a dangerous sin... the sin of being religious...because this sin says...you really don't need a Savior....you can make God happy... on your own.
Isaiah was fighting this sin in his day....until this sin brought its "reward"...the nation of Israel was destroyed and taken captive by a very cruel nation called Assyria. All the 12 tribes of Israel were carried off as slaves to faraway lands...for many years. 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel....never returned to their homeland....
A Gleaning from Isaiah 1:13-17
" Here they come" says the Lord. All the worship charades, the vanity of "selfish worship", the emptiness of their lives, and their gifts that are totally meaningless.
The incense...is not a sweet fragrance to Me...it is a nauseating stench...it has become an abomination to Me.
Yet they "obey" certain laws...celebration days, keeping the Sabbath, and even fast "on My behalf". It all makes me sick...and I can not bear anymore of their worthless assemblies...it's all a show....your hearts are far from Me.
Look at you!... says the Lord. You even lift your hands in a form of prayer...but I am covering My eyes from you. You begin to utter words...in an almost pagan chant...and you call this: prayer.
As for Me, I am not hearing a word of your so-called "prayers"...look at your hands that you lift up to me...they are covered in blood!
Your hands are covered in blood...because you tear one another to pieces. First, go and be cleansed before You come to Me...repent of the evil in your lives...renounce the darkness that lives in your hearts. Search for True Justice...let your hearts....search for Me!
You desire to honor Me?...You desire to have respect for My laws? Then read My Commandments with your hearts... and take to heart the Words you read.
How will I know My Word is in your hearts?....when I see you take up the struggles of the oppressed...when you get along side those "bent beneath their loads" in life....when you support the ways of True Justice!
Take a stand with the homeless, get involved with the fatherless, defend the cause of orphans, and fight for the rights of widows.
Then...bring your sacrifices to Me...come to church and light the incense...for it is then I will see your actions are supported with passion...a passion to follow Me and obey My Commandments.
For in that moment, you will know the meaning to true worship...because you will have found your delight...in Me."
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