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Playing Church Or Seeking God?

Quick Answer: In this article, we discover that Israel believed that rituals could appease God while they engaged in corruption and idolatry. Prosperity masked their immorality, leading them to mix God's worship with that of Baals. Western Christianity is in a similar place of playing church. Often, the modern church has compromised with humanistic philosophies, mistakenly believing that God will be pleased by outward gestures such as church attendance or tithing. However, genuine devotion requires internal integrity, as external acts alone do not satisfy God.

For I desire loyalty rather than sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6, NASV

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In the book of Hosea, the Israelites thought they could buy God off. They believed that as long as they performed external rituals, such as offering sacrifices, they could keep God happy and then live as they pleased.

It was a trap they often fell into. When times were prosperous, they became corrupt, immoral and full of injustice. They would combine their worship of God with the worship of the Baals and other gods to form their own religion. Yet they still thought God was on their side. Many prophets were sent to try to stir them from their self-satisfied lives. The prophets were God’s prosecuting attorneys presenting a covenant lawsuit because Israel was in violation of the blood covenant. [See The Love Covenants] Judgment was a covenant requirement if there was no repentance. But because of the prosperity around them, the people continued blissfully on… until they were destroyed.

What about Western Christianity today? Have we fallen into the same trap as Israel? Corruption and immorality are common with entire “Christian” denominations accepting and even promoting alternate lifestyles and child sacrifice, which God is clearly against. Anti-God socialism, which ultimately destroys human beings and societies, is trumpeted as an expression of Biblical truth. Even most so-called conservative colleges and universities have abandoned teaching a true Biblical world-view. At best, they produce confused ministers who confuse their congregations.

In our attempt to win the world - or be accepted by it - we have compromised with evolution and other humanistic philosophies. The major problem with this is that Biblical Truth is the only thing that gets compromised. We bend and they stand straight and laugh. Christianity has never been acceptable to the world… and it never will be. However, if it is lived with integrity, it will attract those who are being saved out of the world.

Sometimes we think that if we attend church, pay tithes, and live generally good lives, God will be pleased with us. This is especially true if we are experiencing outward prosperity. But, like Israel of old, judgment may be just below the surface. Yes, these external things are essential, but only if they come from a heart of love for God. If the internal attitude is not correct, no external actions will be pleasing to God.

Playing Church Or Seeking God?

According to our Hosea verse, what two things is God looking for from His people?

The first is loyalty, which is also translated as mercy, kindness, lovingkindness. Our actions must come from a heart dedicated to God. Corruption, immorality and injustice will never be acceptable to God, no matter how Godly and sincere the people who practice them may appear on the outside. Compromising God’s Word is a cruel act of deception which can never be an act of loyalty, mercy or kindness. We need to stand firmly on the Word of God in love.

The second thing God looks for is people who want to know Him. As Christians, how seriously are we about knowing God? Are we willing to spend time in Bible study to see Who God has revealed Himself to be and pray to communicate with Him? Is our interest in the Bible primarily about self-improvement, such as marriage, parenting, or prosperity, or personal, high-interest topics like the End Times? Do we really want to know God? How much time do we spend with Him?

If you have read this far, I am confident that you want to know our wonderful Lord. God knows your heart. He will reveal Himself to you as you seek Him with all your heart. Don’t be distracted or led astray by traps set by people with a veneer of Godliness. Set your eyes firmly on Jesus and follow hard after Him, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Frequently Asked Questions About
Playing Church Or Seeking God

Question: How Can Modern Western Christianity Fall Into The Same Trap As Ancient Israel?

Answer: When we are experiencing physical blessings and things are going well, it is easy to assume that God doesn't care about our sins. Because we do not see an immediate judgment, we think everything is fine. But God is holy, and He requires His people to be holy. If we refuse to be loyal to God and His Word, the day will come when we will face His judgment.

Question: Why Are External Actions Not Enough Without A Genuine Heart For God?

Answer: It is the realm of witchcraft which thinks it can control the spiritual world through correct rituals and special words. God is not like that. He will not be manipulated or satisfied with our leftover crumbs. He sees our heart, and He requires our total commitment. Playing church is a comfortable road to Hell. We must seek God with all our hearts. He must be our number one priority.

Question: In What Ways Might Compromises With Humanistic Philosophies Affect Christian Beliefs?

Answer: Humanistic philosophies never compromise. It is always Christian beliefs that are changed to accommodate them. The prime example of this is evolution. Before Darwin, no Christian ever found "long ages" in Genesis. But now all kinds of tricks are used to find a way to insert millions of years into the first two chapters of Genesis. Unfortunately, atheists can read, and anyone picking up the Bible and reading the first two chapters can see that God intended the days of creation to be understood as normal 24-hour days. Either God lied, or He told the truth. Compromising with evolution discredits the Bible from the very beginning. Not to mention, there is no way to get around death before sin in a compromised view, contradicting the plain teaching of Scripture and undermining the doctrine of Salvation. Compromises with other humanistic philosophies have the same type of results.

Question: How Can Bible Study Help Christians Truly Know God Rather Than Just Improve Themselves?

Answer: We need to see how all of Scripture is God-centered [Theocentric]. Regardless of the topic we are studying, it reveals something about the character of God. We also need to be willing to learn about God Himself [Theology] because we love Him, even if it does not have a direct personal application to our lives.

Glenn Davis is a Christian author and Bible teacher whose work draws on more than 40 years of study, writing, and local church teaching. He has written 700+ articles, created five Bible courses, published three books, and shared 100+ Bible videos on YouTube. Readers can find his books on Amazon and follow his teaching on YouTube. Away from the keyboard, he enjoys time with family, reading, walking, and board or card games.

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