Friday, November 25, 2011

Which is the right way?

In my latest trek through the Bible--this time the Evidence Bible published by Bridge-Logos in Orlando--I've been reading in Deuteronomy. I'm amazed at how such an old book can be so relevant to today. In Deuteronomy 12:8 Moses shared God's message to the Hebrew people: "You shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes." People at that time built and worshiped idols. They performed many rituals for their dieties. They even sacrificed their children in hopes of pleasing their gods. Even those who worshiped the God of Abraham sometimes invented ways to please Him. But God gave very specific instructions about how to worship Him so "that it may go well with you, and with your children after you, when you shall do that which is right in the sight of the Lord." (Deut. 12:25) God is not interested in our brand of religion, whether we pretend to worship him or someone else. How can we be sure what really pleases God? There are so many religions, so many denominations of Christianity, so many styles of worship. What standard should we use to see if our actions and attitudes are what God approves? Moses reminded the people, "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: you shall not add thereto, nor diminish from it." (Deut. 12:32) Herein lies the answer to our dilemma. We cannot do what is right in our own eyes. We have an obligation to find out what God requires. This is found in the Bible, God's holy book. Which do you choose: what is right in your own eyes or what is right in the sight of the Lord?

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