It has been quite a cloudy, rainy day here in New York City. Despite the weather, upon coming out of H-Mart (a Korean supermarket in NYC), there were two young men diligently and efficiently distributing pamphlets outside the store. Needing to return my shopping cart, my fate for a direct encounter with these men was sealed. Immediately upon receipt of their pamphlet, I discovered the sad truth that they were proponents of a false religious system.
On the same note, it is quite compelling to consider the fact that after nearly 500 years since the Protestant Reformation, so many of us still almost inherently cling to a notion of "pleasing" God by and through works.
Human nature inherently knows that it is separated from Creator. Even the English word "religion" has its etymology from the Latin words "re" - "ligare" meaning, to "tie back." We are separated from a Holy God and everything within us wants to "reconnect" with Him...even if we don't know who "He" is. That is why humans all over the world are adherents to a "religion." Humans try to make amends and "work" their way back to God. They try to live a morally "good" life in order to be right with the celestial judge of the universe.
Jesus, God in human flesh, came 2,000 years ago to die for humanity's sins. Christianity is unique in that, instead of us trying to "get" to God, God chooses to "come down" to us. Not only does He "come down" to our level, but He chooses to die in our place--effectively paying for sins once and for all! Talk about amazing grace!
Anyway, the point I was trying to make with this blog was that even among so many of us "born-again" Christians, we get things mixed up and try to "serve" our way into heaven. Yes, serving is good--but only if it is an act of obedience flowing out of a love for Jesus. It is duly noted that Jesus Himself stated, "If you love me, keep my commands." Disobedience is tantamount to hypocrisy.
That all being said, why do you serve? Whether it is going on a missions trip to another country or helping to set up the youth group service on Sunday at church, why do you serve? Service, sacrifice, and acts of worship all become meaningless without love and knowledge of the God who saved you. Some churches do a great disservice to its people when they say, "oh forget about it, growth in doctrinal and biblical knowledge is not that important...have the people serve, and by SERVING they will experience growth and intimacy with God." Oh really? The detriments of such a stance will not be outlined in this blog, but suffice it to say, I serve a God who said:
"For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." -Hosea 6:6.
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