Right Form, Wrong Motive - A rejection of formalistic worship

The Review of Formalistic Fasting
The Rejections of Formalistic Fasting
The Response to Formalistic Fasting

Judah kept multiple fasts for about 90 years. Fasting in deep repentance wasn’t bad, but that was not what they did. When Judah fasted, they fasted out of routine, rather than from a truly godly sorrow for sin.

Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ:

1. It is better to obey than to fast in repentance.

2. If you do have to fast (right action), it must be for the glory of Christ (right motive). Show your dependence on God…rather than live for a show!

3. This principle of right action and right motive applies to all of worship. Worship must not be a rote act. You must consciously think of the glory of God when you do worship. Don’t repeat the lines of the confession of sins without thinking of you and Christ. Don’t sing the Psalms only trying to keep up with the music. That would be like clanging cymbals. Don’t do Profession of Faith because everyone else is doing it. Do all what you do, not from formalism, but from a desire to honor the Lord.

4. You are only able to do this because Jesus changed your heart. But even Christians can fall into formalistic worship. So you have to guard your hearts against this and focus on honoring the Savior – not promoting of yourself. When you do this, you will be blessed by God, and will then be properly equipped to serve in the kingdom of the Lord.