Vain Worship

Matthew 15:8-9 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

In order to better understand what our Lord is saying here, let’s define the word “vain”.

Definition of “vain” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vain

1 : too proud of your own appearance, abilities, achievements, etc. : conceited

2 : having no success : not producing a desired result

Proud? Ever see someone who is overconfident? They believe that they have it in the bag (whatever “it” might be)? Some might even boast that they are Christians, right?

I think that the second definition here nailed the meaning of the word “vain” as found in the context of the scripture we quoted. If a person does something in vain, they simply wasted their time because the never get the desired result that was their motivation for doing whatever they did.

So, what did Jesus mean when He said this? Here is another scripture:

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

How about the word “worship”? What does that mean?

Definition of “worship”

1 : to honor or show reverence for as a divine being or supernatural power

2 : to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion

Hopefully, all who are listening or reading recognize the fact that we are talking about vain worship of God through Jesus Christ. How do we know when a person claims to worship Christ? Well they use His name, of course. They say that they serve Jesus Christ, or call themselves a “Christian”, right? Did you know that Jesus also said…

Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

What is iniquity? Many will tell you that it is sin – which is correct, however, iniquity is a specific sin. Iniquity is a lie that involves a person who claims to serve God, when in reality they are not. A sin of the lips, if you will? Talk about vain worship!

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Did you know that we will be judged for every idle word that we speak?

Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

You know, I do a lot of driving for my work. While I am out driving around, I see a lot of things. I see a lot of churches and other gathering places. Recently I passed a big fancy church. It had one of those big flashy LED signs. It was putting on quite the colorful show that really caught your attention; at least it caught mine. You know what it said? Really simple phrase, “this is an imperfect church”! What???!!! Well, I’ll tell you, that is certainly not a church that I want to go to! Talk about doing something in vain. Christ came to save us from sin, Folks. Not in sin – from sin.

Think about this common saying for a moment. The saying is, “nobody is perfect”. Here are a couple of things that I think we need to understand about this phrase: Jesus is a somebody, He is alive, and He is perfect! The other thing is, that the bible tells us that satan is the accuser of the brethren. I guarantee you that the devil authored this saying and that it is a direct accusation towards Christ and His saints.

Now think about this… “perfect” is as good as it gets, right? If this saying were true (but it is not), and if no one were perfect (but Christ is), wouldn’t that make being imperfect the best that it gets? Wouldn’t that then make being imperfect perfection? And if, there is no difference between perfection and imperfection, then Jesus died in vain, and your faith in Him is also in vain because (if you believe this), then you would be saying that Jesus Christ is not perfect (God forbid!) If someone is beside you in quicksand, how can they reach down and pull you out?

He is the Lord from Heaven, prefect; free from sin and iniquity! God in us, the hope of glory! Hopefully, if you truly believe, and stand still long enough, He will bring His glory into the life that you live!

This is why the apostle Paul said:

Philippians 3:12-14 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.

My friends, here is true worship:

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

2 Peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Obviously, what sets apart true followers of Christ from those who are guilty of iniquity are the things that they do in their day -to-day lives. How we live our life is what proves what is inside of us; whether we are a vessel of honor to God, or dishonor.

Mark 7:7-9 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Matthew 15:3 But He answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

Notice that, right after the comment “in vain do they worship me” that He says “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men”? What does He mean? Well, what are some of the most precious things that the carnal man or woman holds near and dear to them? Their “customs” of “traditions”. We are creatures of habit. Many people will make traditions for prideful reasons. As they tell of how they do things, they are suggesting that this is by fay the best way to do whatever it is that they are talking about. Some go so far as to enlist others to participate in their rituals. Often times they are centered around certain happenings or dates, etc.

Here are some scriptures on this:

Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Deuteronomy 6:14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you

Aside from ignorance, why would people who claim to be “Christians” do these things? Well, for many of the reasons that were just mentioned a minute ago, but mainly tradition. What if they are ignorant of what they are doing?

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent

The problem is that many people are more worried about keeping their traditions, or what others might think of them if they do not. They do not search God’s Word for the truth of matters because they fear what they might find? Often times, when you tell someone the truth, they then start making excuses for themselves. Honestly, it is not my business what anyone does, and, according to scripture, I doubt that The Lord wants to hear these excuses…

Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

People often make excuses when they are facing consequences because they did things their way instead of the way that they were instructed. Deception often starts with excuses in order to deny or conveniently attempt to circumvent the truth. When others nearby, who might be guilty, they will join in.

Romans 2:14-16 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Think about how satan tricked Eve. Eve repeated God’s Word, saying that He instructed them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, or else they would die. But satan contradicted God’s word, saying “thou shalt not surely die”. Then he gave her an excuse for why (the devils version) God said this.

Job 15:2-6 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? 3Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good? 4Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God. 5For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty. 6Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.

Psalms 106:39-41 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. 40Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against His people, insomuch that He abhorred His own inheritance. 41And He gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.

You know, I saw a little meme that I found to be very true. It said, “if your god let’s you do whatever you want, then you are your god.” So, if you choose to do what you think is best rather than what God has instructed you to do, you are in essence guilty of idolatry, or serving a false god. If you claim to serve Jesus Christ and do this: then you are also guilty of iniquity, as the bible teaches it.

Romans 2:17-23 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 18And knowest His will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 20An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 21Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

Like was said: some people are their own god. This is proven because they worship themselves, doing whatsoever they think is right, only consulting with God’s Word when they choose, or maybe not at all. One real nugget of understanding that I have found in the course of this study is that all false gods are manmade. The only God who was not, is the God and creator of the universe, who was here before man. In fact, He created us!

Many are taught to do things that God hates. Often this is through tradition, and deception is always involved somewhere. Did you know that you can even deceive yourself?

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

What tool is used to deceive? What is the bait? Sin!

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

What does it mean to be hardened? We are talking and a person’s heart. It simply means that nothing good, nothing truthful can penetrate it. It your heart has been hardened, there is no reasoning with you. You are just too stubborn. Nothing will get through to you.

Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Ever try to form something from a really hard lump of clay? It’s tough, right? If you force it too much, you will probably rip it and then the only thing that it will be good for is the trash. No, clay needs soft or made to be soft and workable first, right? If it is, then a master sculptor can make virtually anything from it, because it is a vessel that is “willing to be worked”, you might say. A “hardened” person who refuses to be shaped by God’s Word, but instead has been shapen in sin, will not keep God’s commandment. They will only continue to live in sin.

Romans 1:28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Proverbs 4:4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

So, we talked about how “worshipping” denotes that we are doing something, and how vain worship of Jesus Christ and iniquity are basically one in the same. We also discussed how Jesus said that some men hold to traditions rather than to His commandments, which must then obviously be contrary, one to the other? In addition, if a person worships anyone or anything, other than the True and Living God, they are guilty of idolatry. Do you then realize that people were guilty of these things well before Christ came on the scene?

You know, Paul’s visit to Athens was recorded in the Book of Acts. During this visit, he found them worshipping many false gods? He, of course, had to set them straight…

Acts 17:21-24 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) 22Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands

They were even celebrating days for false deities. The time appointed to celebrate the heathen goddess of spring and fertility, Easter, was mentioned in the Book of Acts also. I do not believe that this at all meant that the apostles were celebrating it though, but merely a date and time reference only.

While we are on this subject though, and iniquity, why are people that claim to follow Christ celebrating His resurrection in the name of a heathen goddess? One word – tradition. You see, the early Roman empire was governed by their church which eventually become to be named the Roman Catholic Church. In many places in the history books, you will see them called “The Church”. Aside from the many atrocities that this “church” is guilty of, their rule was cause for the deaths of the apostles and all of the early true Christian churches. Since they were the only people left who claimed to be Christians at the time, they assumed the persona of what Christianity was and is today. Obviously, true Christians are no part of this association, neither by name or doctrines.

The point? The Roman Catholic Church was no different then than it is now; it wants to rule over the world through religion. In order to do so, they would incorporate Pagan rituals and holidays into their pseudo version of what they were writing Christianity out to be. The accomplished this by using names, props, practicing rituals, and other forms of vain worship in order to “convert” the heathens into Catholicism.

What is perhaps one of the highest forms of idolatry mingled with iniquity? The celebration of what the world calls christmas. What does God truly think of these things? Listen what He says hear, warning His people? Are you one of His?

Jeremiah 10:1-5 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 5They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

Notice how He tells us not to be dismayed at the signs of heaven? Did you know that the original pagan celebration of Saturnalia took place around December 25th and that it took place at that time because of the alignment of stars? They were celebrating the winter solstice and the start of the start of the astronomical winter. The word “dismayed” means to be alarmed or concerned. What happens if you do not pay God homage?

Why do people celebrate the winter solstice? Early Romans celebrated Saturnalia in honor of their god names Saturn. It is also regarded as sacred by many claiming that it is the rebirth of “the great horned hunter god”! Found on Google

Now, who do you suppose “the great horned hunter god” is a reference to? I’ll tell you who he is… he is the god of this world; the devil!

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is god.

Vain worship – “the customs of the people are vain”, says God. What is an example of these? This is why I personally do not celebrate many so-called holidays. Go find the origins (while you still can). Many are mixed and mingled with multiple customs and traditions. Talking about christmas, take the christmas tree. Remember how Paul examined the people of Athens and found that they were superstitious?

Read this from History.com… https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees

How Did christmas Trees Start?

Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes during the festive season with pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.

Now God told us not to learn the ways of the heathen. Whenever I read an instruction of God, I take it as a commandment, don’t you?

Why do you think that Paul said this?

Galatians 4:7-11 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 8Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Here are some more thoughts:

Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind

1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 Peter 2:9-12 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Exodus 20:3-6 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

There are obviously many types of worship taking place in the world today. People are praying, doing good works, keeping God’s commandments, celebrating a great deal of things for many different reasons, marrying, buying selling, etc.

Romans 14:5-6 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

I am quoting this because I know that many people have read it and that some might use it as an excuse to follow after idolatries. However, I am quite certain that Paul was talking about Israel here. Earlier in chapter 13 of Romans he was discussing how the gentiles were grafted in. You see, when Christ came, there was an end to the keeping of the ordinances of the law, meaning that the way of salvation no longer comes through the keeping of The Law of Moses. These passages in Romans chapter 14 are a reference to the keeping of the Sabbath “Holy Day” by the Israelites, per God’s commandment found within The Law of Moses, and pertained only to them as “law keepers”. But, there was an end to these things…

Exodus 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. 14Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

And, they had good reason to not want to stop keeping the law-

Isaiah 58:13-14 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

This was, of course, prior to the death, burial, and resurrection:

Romans 10:1-5 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

You see, some of the people who were born as Israelites and that came to Christ might be weaker in the faith at first, and therefore the might be afraid to not observe the carnal ordinances that were meant to be a foreshadow of the Faith to come in Christ. They may have simply not grown to the understanding of how the law is fulfilled in through Grace now. Remember how this chapter started?

Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

What good would it do to judge or condemn these people knowing:

Romans 14:20-23 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

I am sure that eventually, if God is truly in the arrangement with these people, that they will grow to the understanding that they are keeping the Sabbath spiritually in following Christ, versus following the ordinances of The Law…

Hebrews 7:14-19 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 18For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

I said all of that to say this: “setting aside a day” because God told a person to in The Law, is totally different from setting it aside because it is a custom or tradition of heathens. Please beware-

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Matthew 24:38-39 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

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Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

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