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NASB | Ephesians 1:12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 1:12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him as our Lord and Savior] would exist to the praise of His glory. |
Bible Question: Verses 11-15 states that YHWH hates the many elaborate worship services that the priests stage. it is the "empty dishonesty of going through the motions that God detests.' Can you think of times when the church today has "gone through the motions" while worshiping God." Why do you think this displeases God? |
Bible Answer: I think so much of what we see today as “worship service” has allot of emptiness to it, especially that which is broadcast across our air waves. It seems so much is meant to stir the pot rather than the heart. Not trying to be cynical but we can carry out all of the so called worship we can muster, if it is simply for show, if it is not from the heart and true to God, there is no benefit to us. It was a long, long time that I recited The Lord’s Prayer as part of going through the motions because I felt it was an appropriate method of involving myself in prayer and that’s what I was taught. It was an awaking the first time I began to understand just how those words were real and instructive and not meant to be a mere “chant”, but so much more. On the other hand, an up note, I do believe there are many services out there, many churches, many peoples, who do truly worship from the heart. 1Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. “Be it ever in your remembrance, that to keep strictly in the path of your Saviour’s command is better than any outward form of religion; and to hearken to his precept with an attentive ear is better than to bring the fat of rams, or any other precious thing to lay upon his altar. If you are failing to keep the least of Christ’s commands to his disciples, I pray you be disobedient no longer. All the pretensions you make of attachment to your Master, and all the devout actions which you may perform, are no recompense for disobedience. “To obey,” even in the slightest and smallest thing, “is better than sacrifice,” however pompous. Talk not of Gregorian chants, sumptuous robes, incense, and banners; the first thing which God requires of his child is obedience; and though you should give your body to be burned, and all your goods to feed the poor, yet if you do not hearken to the Lord’s precepts, all your formalities shall profit you nothing. It is a blessed thing to be teachable as a little child, but it is a much more blessed thing when one has been taught the lesson, to carry it out to the letter. How many adorn their temples and decorate their priests, but refuse to obey the word of the Lord! My soul, come not thou into their secret.” – C. H. Spurgeon He desires our hearts and our obedience and so often, so many of us fall short. Stand in His grace, WOS |
Up | View Branch | ID# 193569 | ||
Questions and/or Subjects for Eph 1:12 | Author | ||
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humbledbyhisgrace | ||
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Sandra Jones | ||
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DocTrinsograce | ||
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Wild Olive Shoot |