Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Does God Accept Unscriptural Service or Work?

An Excerpt of an article by Kent Brandenburg @ http://www.jackhammr.org

You see the question above. What do you think? I would think that most of you would answer: No. God will not accept something unscriptural. If it is unscriptural, then it doesn’t please Him. Lots comes to mind, but let’s start with Hebrews 11:6 that “without faith, it is impossible to please Him.” We are sanctified by the truth, not our feelings or opinions (John 17:17). God is Holy.

I think of Caan. God didn’t accept his well-meant labor. Nor did God accept Saul’s early sacrifices or Uzzah’s touching the Ark. Salvation itself is exclusive—”no man cometh unto the Father but by” Him (John 14:6) and “neither is there salvation in any other” than Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). Many will say a whole bunch of things, but Christ will say He never knew them (Matthew 7:21-23). Christ didn’t come to bring peace but a sword. He’s a Divider. He separates the sheep from the goats, the tares from the wheat. We give God a lot of leniency where He doesn’t actually have it.

He’s longsuffering. That’s for sure. He’s merciful. Definitely. But He doesn’t accept the work that is done our way. That’s wood, hay, and stubble (1 Corinthians 3). Our labor is not in vain in Him (1 Corinthians 15:58). Everything else is vain though. He keeps giving us opportunities to get it right, but we have to get it right. Everything we do should be regulated by Scripture and especially worship. I mean, God will use His Word. He will bless through His Word. He even uses evil nations in His Divine Providence. That doesn’t mean He accepts what they do

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