Thursday, January 15, 2009

Malachi 1:14

God calls someone "Hypocrite!" You know you have to done something bad to be called hypocrite by God. In a message dealing with what we offer in worship, God brings this pronouncement. "There will be harsh condemnation for the hypocrite who has a valuable male animal in his flock but vows and sacrifices something inferior to the Lord." (NET) In other words, God calls someone a hypocrite (and promises condemnation) when they come to Him with an offering of worship that is blemished and imperfect when they hold back something much more valuable. God demands our best in worship, and when we come to Him acting like we're something greater than we really are, when what we bring isn't the best we have to offer, rather is something we almost throw together at the last minute, we offend Him greatly. It's a scary thing to offend God, the Creator of the universe and the only All-Powerful Being. Tick Him off and look out.

Just look at what He's said to Israel and her worship leaders (priests) so far in the message He gave through Malachi. "You've strayed so far you can't even see how much I love you and how evident My love for you really is." (v. 2-5) "You have dishonored Me and made light of My name, and you can't even see what you've done. You think you're still all right with Me and don't realize how displeased I am with you." (v. 6-9) "You've profaned My Temple by considering My table as common, something you just do every week because it's required. You even turn your nose up at it and consider it tiresome." (v. 12-13) Pretty harsh words to the people who considered themselves the children of God. In verse 10 God wishes someone would close and bar the door to the Temple rather than have to put up with the false and fake worship the people were offering. Wow. The God of the universe Who desires that all men worship Him would rather close the place of worship than face another day of dishonest worship. No wonder He pronounces judgment on those who don't offer their best to Him.

So, how does that apply to us today, to those of us who call ourselves the children of God? Was this just a warning message to the Israelites over 2,400 years ago, or does this message carry warnings for us today? Well, let's ask the question. If God Who never changes can't stand dishonest worship from the Israelites, do you think He would appreciate or accept less than honest worship from us today? If the blemished offerings gives back then upset Him so greatly, how do you think He feels about our less-than-our-best offerings we may offer today? Somehow, I rather suspect that He probably doesn't care for them too much either (said tongue-in-cheek). Of course, He would feel the same strong emotions about what we do today as He did toward what the Israelites offered then.

What, then, do we need to take away from this message of warning? God sees our hearts. He knows if what we bring to Him, both in church and in our personal worship times on our own, is really our best, from our hearts, completely honest before Him or if we're simply going through the motions, just bringing whatever we feel like at the moment, even trying to fake what we do so others around us think better of us. God desires honest worship, worship from our hearts offered both in spirit and in truth, that comes from deep within us, from the core of who we are. And we're not just talking about worship as we think of it happening in church on Sunday. God's looking at our motivation behind everything we do. You see, the Israelites had to go to the Temple for their official acts of worship, since the Temple was seen as the dwelling place of God. We, on the other hand, who have been indwelled by the Holy Spirit, live every moment of our lives in the presence of God since we have been called His temples. If God focused on the offerings being brought to the Temple in Jerusalem, how much more does He look at everything we do as an act of offering, since everything we do is in His presence?

If we are His temple, then what kind of offerings are we bringing on a daily basis? Are we giving God our best, or are we doing the bare minimums, if that? Do we put on airs when around others so they think us better or closer to God than we are then revert to our "normal" selves when we think no one is around? And, what is our motivation for what we do? Is it God-centered or self-centered? I know we'll not live perfect lives while on earth, but we can live God-centered lives. Do we live saying the right things and being in the right places at the right times and have lost the real meaning of why we do those things, or do we live each day seeking to have a fresh encounter with the God Who redeemed us? Do we live doing whatever we want, or do we live to do what God desires us to do -- to live lives of worship, giving praise and glory to Him, sharing Him with the world around us, seeking to not only draw closer to Him ourselves, but to seek out and help others to become fully devoted followers of Jesus as well? That's the life God desires us to live, and to do anything less is to become guilty of the same sins the Israelites were guilty of 2,400 years ago, sins that offended the God of heaven and brought promises of condemnation and the title of hypocrite placed on them.

I don't know about you, but I have no desire to have the God of the Universe call me a hypocrite. Wait until you read the next few verses in chapter 2. If you thought this was harsh, the next few verses should have you quaking in your boots.

Offer true, authentic acts of worship to God today, tomorrow, and every day of your life. If condemnation is given to hypocrites, just imagine how much more the blessing and grace given for authentic worship.

Be blessed, and remember: Pray for the people in your wallet today.