The Greater Whole

Listen to the LORD, you leaders of “Sodom.” Listen to the law of our God, people of “Gomorrah.” “What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with all your ceremony? Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting— they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them! When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. [Isaiah 1.10-17]

God is not impressed by our religion and religious ceremony. In fact, it sickens Him.

Religious ceremony (church services?) in lieu of obedience to God pretty much just ticks God off.

It is a mockery to God for us to go to church and raise our hands in praise when we are citizens of a nation that kills innocent babies, promotes perversion, and lives in proud independence from God.

The sad thing is, "Mother Earth" mentality is actually closer to God in many ways than most "church people." They at least understand that they are part of a greater whole than just themselves! If only individual Christians would understand that, as humans, we remain part of a greater whole, starting with our nationality. Citizens of the greater whole of the United States of America are, each and every one, responsible for the sins of the whole. God judges nations. The Old Testament focuses on the "nation" of Israel. God dealt with "nations" that opposed Him. God made promises to "nations." And yet, Christians today want to be their own little island before God - but the Bible reveals that is simply not how God sees us.

Hmm.

This really complicates things! Suddenly, we are indeed our brother's keeper! Our purpose comes into focus as we understand that God so loved "the world."

Everything in the world today does just what lions and other predators do... separate an individual from the herd and the rest is just "lunch." Because humanity has not understood God's love for the world, it has made Christianity a private individual thing where, in fact, Satan has separated that individual from the herd, so to speak, and devoured them in religion. People think they can go to church and even raise their hands as if to please God while the greater whole of our city, state, nation, or world is sick with sin. It sickens God.

This is as much a message of repentance as it is anything, I suppose. We are responsible for repentance not only for ourselves, but for the greater whole.

Father, help us to see that our purpose on earth is indeed "Your love for the world." Help us to see our part in the greater whole of the world and live accordingly in light of Your Word.