“And he said to them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
– Mark 7:6-7
Unfortunately, this prophecy wasn’t only fulfilled at one point in the past. It’s an ongoing prophetic warning to those who love the Lord. In every generation, there will be people, often powerful and influential people, who choose and teach dead religion over living faith. Who prefer man-made rules of righteousness to genuinely abiding in Jesus Christ. Who like the appearances of faith without the heart-transforming reality of faith in the Lord.
Don’t let this be true of you! Abide in Christ and abide in the Bible. Read, study, meditate, and pray daily. Let the Word of God tear down any man-made teachings that aren’t consistent with the commands of Christ. Don’t add to the Gospel. Don’t try to help Jesus save you! What He did on the cross is sufficient. Don’t create, or comply with, checklists of mandatory good behaviors that are more about looking good to people than truly obeying God with a grateful heart.
There are many in the world today who continue to fulfill this prophecy. They use the language of Christianity without the heart of Jesus. They aren’t concerned about the poor and vulnerable for whom Jesus is concerned. They practice empty religion and vain worship without truly following the Good Shepherd Who is the Lamb of God. Do not fall for these, no matter how loud, popular, or successful they may be. Abide in Christ. Abide in Scripture. Let those guide you into ever-deepening obedience to Jesus. Don’t worship in vain. #FollowJesus