True Worship

I know a team that loves to talk the talk, but does not know how to walk the walk. They look the part, but many of them do not work for the true good of the team. Many are just in it for the status and the look, thinking that they have already arrived. Know any teams or players like that? On game day, they are dressed to the hilt. They say the right things and look the part, but when the ball is in play, you find out what they are truly made of, or how much they have really prepared for the competition.

Isaiah knew a group of people just like that. They thought they had it going on — putting on their spiritual airs in public. But in private their lives were totally different. Sure, they fasted and went through the spiritual motions, but how far did it get them? Not very far. He warned them that going through the motions wouldn't cut it! Living the Christian life is more than punching the time clock at church, FCA or weekly Bible studies. It is a 24-7 commitment to living, learning and loving God and knowing Him more. We are fooling ourselves and cheating ourselves by doing anything less than that. Is it easy? Absolutely, not. It requires work. If you want success in life, it takes work. Only in the dictionary does success come before work. Growing in Christ and truly worshipping Him takes work on your part. Commitment is the key. God wants you truly to worship Him, not to practice false or pious worship just to make yourself look the part.

This team I mentioned earlier has great potential. They are great leaders within, but they need to find out what it truly means to work together in order to reach the highest goal in their sport. Talk is cheap. Time will tell if this team does what is necessary to make it to the next level. Will they be able to show that they have done what it takes as individuals AND the whole, or will they show that they don't know how to walk the walk? Will their lack of work come out in their performances on the field? I am looking forward to finding out in their upcoming season. More importantly, as followers of Christ are we just talking the talk and putting on our spiritual clothes for Sunday? Make a decision today to evaluate your spiritual walk and then walk it! Remember, no one wants to follow an idle talker!