Go! And Worship the True God, Not an Idealised Version of Yourself
Introduction:
Tim Keller once said, "If your god never disagrees with you, you might just be worshiping an idealised version of yourself." In our world today, it is easy to create a version of God that fits our desires, beliefs, and preferences. But the true God of the Bible is not made in our image—we are made in His image. Today, we will explore what it means to truly worship and follow God, even when His truth challenges us.
1. God’s Ways Are Higher Than Ours
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT) – “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
The Hebrew word for "thoughts" (ma?aša?â) conveys the idea of plans and intentions beyond human comprehension. God’s ways are not subject to our logic or personal opinions.
Romans 11:33 (NLT) – “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!”
Do we truly submit to God’s wisdom, or do we only accept His truth when it aligns with our preferences?
A child may not understand why a parent sets certain rules, but the parent knows best. Likewise, God’s wisdom surpasses our limited understanding.
"If God always agrees with you, you are probably not worshiping God but yourself." – Timothy Keller
2. The Danger of a Self-Made God
Exodus 20:3-4 (NLT) – “You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind.”
Idolatry is not just bowing to statues; it is shaping God to fit our desires. The Hebrew word for "idol" (pese^l) means a carved image, but in a broader sense, it represents anything we substitute for the true God.
Romans 1:25 (NLT) – “They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself.”
Are we following the real God or a comfortable version of Him?
Imagine a person editing a picture of themselves to remove flaws—they may look better, but it’s not the real them. Many do the same with God.
"An idol of the mind is as offensive to God as an idol of the hand." – A.W. Tozer
3. True Worship Requires Obedience
John 14:15 (NLT) – “If you love me, obey my commandments.”
The Greek word for "obey" (tereo) means to guard or keep watch over. True love for God is shown through our obedience to His Word, even when it challenges us.
James 1:22 (NLT) – “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”
Do we obey God fully, or do we treat His Word like a buffet, picking only what we like?
A builder following a blueprint must follow all instructions, not just the convenient ones. So must we obey all of God’s commands.
"Partial obedience is complete disobedience." – Charles Stanley
4. The Cost of Following the True God
Luke 9:23 (NLT) – “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”
The Greek word for "give up" (arneomai) means to deny completely. Following Jesus requires surrendering our own will to His.
Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT) – “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow, and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.”
Are we willing to surrender everything to follow Christ?
A soldier in battle must follow the commander’s orders, even when it’s difficult. So must we follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
"Jesus never said following Him would be easy, but He said it would be worth it." – John Piper
Conclusion & Call to Action
God is not a reflection of our own desires—He is the sovereign Lord of all creation. True worship requires surrender, obedience, and trust in His wisdom. Today, let us commit to following the real Jesus, not a version we have created in our own minds.
Invitation to Faith:
If you have never truly surrendered your life to Jesus, today is the day. Romans 10:9 (NLT) says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Will you choose to worship and follow the real God today?
May God bless us as we seek to worship and follow Him in truth!
