Isaiah calls on the people of God to worship him in spirit and in truth, worship that springs from faith in Christ as the only mediator who cleanses us.
Isaiah identifies two specific elements of false worship.
1. Worship that God has not authorized is false, eg. adding to the true worship of God, or mixing it with other practice.
2. Worship that does not come from faith is false worship.
Worship signifies coming into the presence of the holy God. As such, God calls you to cleanse yourself. You must be clean but you cannot cleanse yourself. God, who says, “Cleanse yourself,” also says, “I will cleanse you.” “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool...” What a wonderful promise that is expressed in worship. We raise our hands to God, we open our mouths to Him, and He cleanses, he fills us with good things. True worship leans on Christ, who alone gives forgiveness and cleansing and new life. |
