Malachi warned Israel that their worship had become empty — sacrifices offered without sincerity, priests who failed to teach the truth underlying the sacrificial program, and people who went through the motions while their hearts drifted.
Their routine became a testimony of insincerity. They offered blemished sacrifices, not because they lacked better offerings, but because they lacked reverence.
The principle of sincerity remains, but the manner of worship is not the same. Paul gives the Body of Christ a parallel warning under a different dispensation.
Members of the Body of Christ do not approach God through Israel’s sacrificial system, yet the danger remains: worship can become routine, predictable, and hollow.
Activity, entertainment, and spectacle can replace sincerity and reverence, allowing the external show to hide the inward motive.
Dear brothers and sisters, in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Paul describes believers coming together with psalms, teachings, revelations, and interpretations — all legitimate expressions of devotion when governed by edification.
But he gives one governing principle: “Let all things be done for edification.”
Edification means building up someone else, and it requires orderliness.
The Holy Spirit gifts each member differently; nevertheless, those gifts are used for the building up of the Body.
This is especially true when we come together. Some sing, some teach, some greet, and some serve quietly, but all of it is to be done for the glory of God and the edification of the other members of the Body.
I have heard churchgoers say they did not get anything out of the service. Sometimes what they mean is that they wanted something more entertaining, more energetic, or more emotionally satisfying. But that is not the purpose of the assembly.
Coming together is not centered on the individual experience; it is for the building up of the Body.
Seeking the edification of others is one evidence of sincerity, and it keeps worship from becoming mere routine. Pauline teaching corrects that drift by turning our attention back to what builds up the Body.
Israel’s insincerity was seen in their offerings. In the assembly today, insincerity is exposed when our participation fails to edify the members of the Body.
We do not gather to perform. We do not gather to impress. We do not gather to display cleverness or ingenuity.
We gather to build up the Body of Christ.
Under grace there is liberty, but that liberty is not permission to do whatever we want when the Body comes together.
The assembly of believers is not for entertainment or exhibition.
We are to use our gifts — singing, teaching, encouragement — with sincerity, Pauline truth, love, and a desire to edify the other members of the Body. All of this should be done with thankfulness to God, who through Christ provides our salvation and sanctification.
Malachi warns us what insincerity looks like. Paul shows us what sincerity produces: the edification of the Body.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 1 Co 14:26.
Meditation:
Father, help me gather with sincerity, not to be seen or entertained, but to serve the members of Christ’s Body. Teach me to use whatever grace You have given me for edification, with thankfulness for all You have provided through Christ.
Reflection Questions:
When I gather with the Body of Christ, am I seeking self-gratification or the edification of my fellow members?
Am I helping the meeting remain orderly, or drawing attention to myself through my expression?
Is Pauline truth the focus that builds up the members, or has it become only a byproduct of something meant to entertain?