In the Bible we see that there are certain things God hates:
- false religion (Amos 5:21).
- idolatry (5:26; cf. 4:4; 5:5).
- ritualism – emphasis on elaborate ceremonies, fancy colorful vestments, candles, sacraments, etc.
- sacerdotalism and priestcraft. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Tim. 2:5).
- formalism – that is, strict adherence to external forms without any substance.
- syncretism – the satanic mixing of several different religions into a synthesized hodgepodge.
- hypocrisy. Our Lord said to the Pharisees, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in” (Matt. 23:13).
THE LORD DEMANDS REPENTANCE (5:24; cf. 4:6-13).
Samuel said, “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (I Sam. 15:22).
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18).
Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:8.
God has always rejected false religion. We can trace this all the way back to Genesis 4 when God rejected Cain's false worship.
Genesis 4:4, 5
Acts 7:42, 43; Galatians 6:7. |
