Following God's Recipe

When asked, “Who are we worshipping?” most people would answer, “Why, God of course!”

But a thoughtful answer to the question will determine the success or failure of your worship. Because if we decide to serve the God of the Bible (as opposed to serving the gods that men follow), then doesn’t it make sense to go to the Bible to determine how He wants to be served? And if we’re unwilling to serve God in the manner described in the Bible, does it make sense to continue to claim that we are serving that God?

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

If we set out to make a chocolate cake, the recipe gives us instructions about ingredients and cooking in order to bake that cake successfully. If we take the recipe for chocolate cake and substitute vanilla extract every time cocoa is called for, does it make sense to call it chocolate cake when we are done?

By the same token, does it make sense for us to substitute what the Bible specifies with the way that we want to worship God, and still call that worship Biblical worship?

“And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”  (Matthew 15:9)