I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1Tim. 1:13-17
I've heard objections to Christianity that go like this - "Your God says, 'Worship Me or I'll send you to hell.' I can't and won't worship a narcissistic being like that." Here are a few thoughts on that.
1. God doesn't need anything. He doesn't need your worship. If you choose not to worship Him it's sort of like refusing a medical treatment. OK, your loss. Where I work now, in downtown Memphis, we have so many very sick pregnant women who come in for evaluation and they need to be admitted and they just leave AMA (against medical advice). I think this is a proper analogy because the worship of God is what our sin-sick soul needs. We were made for this but unfortunately substitute the worship of other things because we are all worshipping something. Isn't that right, Swifties.
2. God doesn't send you to hell for not worshipping Him, you were already on your way because you are following Satan and that's his home. You might say, "I'm not a Satan worshipper." If you are on the throne of your life, that's all Satan wants. Law #1 of the Satanic Bible is not worship Satan but rather, worship yourself. There are just 2 sides, God and Satan and if you aren't worshipping God you are worshipping Satan. It's like your parents saying, "You have 2 choices. You can go to college or not go to college." You respond, "Neither. I'm going to get a job." There is no third option, you have chosen not to go to college.
3. Paul was aware of how evil he was and the depth of his sin and rebellion toward God and the realization of the mercy bestowed upon him led him to worship. People with the above objection just don't realize their depravity and the grace and mercy of God offered to them. They don't understand the Love of God for them to offer up His Son in their place. We don't worship God because he have to. We worship God because we want to. We love because He first loved us.
Jesus asked Paul,"Why are you kicking against the pricks?" A prick was a pointy goad that was used to keep the oxen moving. It would be foolish if the oxen got the pointy stick in his behind to lift his hind leg and kick the stick because his hoof would just get stuck like his rear. This objection is an illustration of that. You refusing to worship God is just hurting yourself.
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