How Have We Shown Contempt For Your Name?

God gives each of us a free choice of will to decide between serving Him and serving the devil. However, the moment we choose to live for God, we surrender our wills to Him; not only does God become our Father and we become His sons and daughters, but God also becomes our Master. And we can trust God our Father and Master because He is honourable, righteous, loving, kind, unselfish, faithful, and forgiving. When God gives us commands to obey, He does so to bless us with all His goodness.

But although we are His blessed sons and daughters, we are His blessed servants as well. Therefore, the commands in the Bible are not to be considered as requests that we can choose to abide by or not. Our coming to God is much more than a verbal acknowledgement that Jesus Christ is Lord. Our coming to God is a life-long commitment to serve Him, a genuine heartfelt desire to obey all His commands and live for Him.

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,'

and do not do what I say?"

Luke 6:46 (NIV)

A son honours his father and a servant honours his master. Therefore we also are to honour the Lord God Almighty. But how do we show the honour and respect that is due to His Name? — by our obedience and worship to Him. However, many times what people think is worship only shows contempt for His Name. Why? — because of their disobedience and lack of respect.

"'A son honours his father,

and a servant his master.

If I am a father,

where is the honour due me?

If I am a master,

where is the respect due me?'

says the Lord Almighty.

'It is you, O priests,

who show contempt for my Name.'

But you ask,

'How have we shown contempt for your Name?'"

Malachi 1:6 (NIV)

As God's children, as His servants, and as His church, we need to ask ourselves regularly if our worship shows all the honour and respect He so richly deserves.