NOV 4

Mark 7:1-13
Memorise Luke 12:2
“For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed…”

Certain religions advocate their followers to have a vegetarian or vegan diet. This is seen as a virtuous practice as it means not indulging in the pleasures of consuming meat, the production of which involves the killing of animals. Some of these vegetarians however, instead of eating meat, substitute the meat in their diet with certain food products that are made to look, feel and taste like meat. While this is consistent with their position of not contributing to the death of animals from a practical standpoint, from a spiritual standpoint it demonstrates that they continue to cling on to their love for meat.

In Mark 7, Jesus rebuked the hypocritical Pharisees who “pledged” their wealth to God so that they would have an excuse not to support their parents while still appearing (in the eyes of men) to obey God’s 5th commandment. For them, the appearance of holiness was more important than the actual love and possession of it. Likewise, not all who come before the Lord in worship and prayer do so with the right intent. Some do so to sooth their guilty consciences for having committed sin. Others do so because a person “in their position” must be seen at the right place and the right time, saying and doing the right things just to appear more “spiritual”. Jesus describes this as honouring Him with one’s lips and not one’s heart.

Our worship is superficial and meaningless if it is not done out of a sincere heart, just like a vegetarian who appears to abstain from meat and yet indulges in mock meat: the change is merely external. The time we spend worshipping God must be a result of having a love for communion with the Lord. To do so for appearance’s sake (or just to “clock time”) would constitute vain worship. While it is impossible to tell from the external, which believer is worshipping in spirit and in truth, nothing is hidden from our omniscient God, who knows the innermost recesses of men’s hearts.

Thought: If I am more concerned about appearing godly than being pious, am I really honouring God or myself?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us a heart that truly desires holiness, that our worship may be pleasing in Thy sight.