By: The Rt. Rev. William Wilson
“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts. When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; … I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil… learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”
Canaanite religions as well as the religious practices of the Romans made no connection between moral behavior and worship. These pagans thought that their gods would give them material blessings in return for sacrifices in their honor. Not so the God of Israel! Yahweh accepted the religious temple services of His people if, and only if, they “seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan and the widow.”
Is our American religious institution with our fine liturgical services, our superb choirs, and our renowned preachers in danger of falling under the condemnation that Isaiah leveled against Israel in his day? The American Christian community as a whole—are we seeking justice, rescuing the oppressed, defending the orphan and widow? What does God say to us who have not defended fifty five million pregnant mothers and the lives of their babies taken by abortion since 1973?
Jesus Christ’s work of new creation in the life of a believer involves repudiating an old life and embracing a new one. The image is the process of taking off fraying clothes and putting on new ones. This process of surrendering and entering into the arms of Jesus’ embrace is how we can experience his presence and power. As our intimacy with God grows so does our desire to worship and pray to Him. We are transformed by the power of His love for us and have the opportunity to reflect the character and will of God.