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Paul Smithson
The standard of what is acceptable in religion for many is
whether it satisfies the individual. Many "shop" for a religion
that meets their personal preferences, treating the Scriptures
as a salad bar-- picking things they like and passing over
others. Many declare satisfaction with the course they have
chosen in religion without ever considering the question, "Is
God satisfied with my religion?" The whole conclusion is not,
serve God as you please, but "Fear God and keep His
commandments" (Eccl. 12:13). Our purpose in daily activities
and in worship should be to strive to please God. Those who
truly seek to serve God will not be satisfied until they do
this. We must be willing to test our practices and beliefs to
see if they agree with the Scriptures. "Examine yourselves,
whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2Cor. 13:5).
The only way to please God in all that we do is to follow
His revealed will-- to simply read and study the Scriptures and
follow them in all we do, not adding to them or taking away
(2Jn. 9; Deut. 4:2). Those who fail to do this lack respect for
the authority of God as Lord and Master. The inspired apostle
declared, "And whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord" (Col.3:17). To "do all in the name of the
Lord" means to respect the authority of the Lord in everything.
We must have God's authority for all that we do and that
authority must be established from the Scriptures; for it is
there that God has revealed His will for us.
So, our personal morality, conduct, religious beliefs, and
things practiced in worship must be based on book, chapter,
and verse. One may be satisfied with the manner in which they
live and worship, while God may not be, making life and worship
worthless before the Lord. As Jesus warned, "This people
draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with
their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do
worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men"
(Matt. 15:8,9). Therefore, let us search the Scriptures to
establish authority for all that we believe and practice showing
respect God's authority.
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