The Sin of Redefining Religion
Daily Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 12-14; Proverbs 31
Daily Focus Passage:1 Kings 12
The flesh nature of humanity attempts to define religion in human terms. The people seek to form a religious identity that seems right in the eyes of the flesh or appeases the world's mentality. Believers face the threat of allowing the influences of this world and concern over people liking them to force them to redefine their beliefs. Sin dominates the narrative when this occurs, and the individual forsakes following the Lord authentically. This happened in the life of Jeroboam. Jeroboam followed the rule of Solomon, and he attempted to make religion easy.
THE THREAT OF MAKING WORSHIP EASY
Jeroboam considered the journey to Jerusalem too much to ask of the people of Israel. He desired to make the act of worship easy and not sacrificial for one in their personal life. The king commanded that a place of worship be established in Bethel and Shechem. Establishing altars in these two locations would provide easy access for the people of Israel to participate in worship. It would water down the act of worship by removing the dedication and costly aspect.
Today, many modern technologies make worship easy and often without a cost. The Bible clearly states that believers must gather with other believers for worship. The body of Christ exists as a community of faith, and neglecting to gather with others through easy worship diminishes worship. Yes, there are moments and times these approaches serve a purpose, but when they become the substance of our worship, and we neglect the gathering of the local body, we fall prey to the threat of making worship easy and on our terms and in our way.
THE THREAT OF REDEFINING THE TRUTH
Jeroboam commanded that the altars in Bethel and Shechem have a golden statue to represent the Lord. Jeroboam promoted idolatry in the name of promoting the Lord. He attempted to give a false image of the authority that the Lord alone deserves and replace the Lord with a humanmade statue. Jeroboam attempted to redefine God into an image he could control, hold, see, and be in the presence of. This act attempted to redefine the truth of following the Lord in faith and trusting Him completely.
Today, we must guard against redefining the Lord to make Him appear in our image and perspective. Instead, we must surrender to Christ's Lordship and seek to become more like Him. We must pursue the development of faith that develops as we strengthen in our walk with the Lord because we know that faith is the evidence of things unseen. We must guard against lowering the Lord to meet our perspective and strive for our perspective to be driven by His truth.
When we attempt to redefine truth and make worship easy, we slip into the sin of redefining religion. The Lord has called his children to gather with the faith community and worship Him alone. This worship includes the sacrifice and commitment needed to gather with others and praise Him. We must assess our lives and find where we attempt to redefine religion.
