When Paul was in Athens, a city full of idolatry, he found opportunity to teach them about the one true God. He was to them “an Unknown God” (Acts 17:23). God does not want to be unknown to His creation, but has instilled in us the desire to seek after Him. Paul explained this to the Athenians:
“He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:26-27).
God wants us to seek for Him and He is not far off. But does this mean we can seek after God in whatever way we wish, doing what seems good to us and expecting that God will be pleased? There are many who think this way, but it is not what God wants from those who would seek after Him.
When David planned to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem, the ark was placed on an ox-driven cart to be transported. During the journey, the oxen upset it and Uzzah placed his hand on the ark to steady it. When he touched the ark, God struck him (2 Samuel 6:3-8). But why? They were doing something that was good (returning the ark) in a way that seemed to them to be effective (on an ox-driven cart). Uzzah’s attempt to steady the ark would have been a natural reflex. Why was God upset?
Afterward, David called for the priests and Levites in order to have them transport the ark. Notice the reason why he called them:
“Because you did not carry it at the first, the Lord our God made an outburst on us, for we did not seek Him according to the ordinance” (1 Chronicles 15:13).
Having the best of intentions was irrelevant. The way in which David initially chose to move the ark violated God’s ordinance. Even though this happened in the Old Testament, the point is the same for us – we must serve God according to His instructions rather than according to the way that seems best to us.
Jesus taught the importance of worshiping God according to His instructions as He spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well:
“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers” (John 4:23).
To speak of “true worshipers” implies that there would be those whose worship would not be acceptable. Regardless of how well-intentioned one might be, if the worship is not in “truth,” it is not acceptable to Him. We must follow God’s instructions, not try to serve Him according to our instructions.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Jesus described people who were doing things in the name of Christ – at least that was their claim. Yet they were acting presumptuously in that they were doing things for which they had no authority. God wants us to seek after Him, but He is not so desperate for praise that He will accept whatever service we choose to give Him (cf. Acts 17:25). We are to seek Him by obeying His word. Good intentions will not save us. We must serve God in faithful obedience.
