Self-Serving Religion. Where is Your Heart?

As we continue through the book of Judges, the descent of Israel into sinfulness and rebellion continues apace.  The depressing phrase, "in those days, Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit" occurs (in whole or in part) four times in this passage. The words "Israel had no king" have two meanings; it has the literal meaning, but it also has a spiritual meaning, in that the Israelites had rejected the Lord, their true king. The people, and even the Levites, had forgotten God and his laws, and had fallen into idolatry and false, self-serving religion.

Aren't we like the ancient Israelites? We may not bow down and worship graven images, but we often reject God's laws and God's grace, and do as we see fit.  ("I did it my way", to quote the refrain of a tired old song.)  But false, self-serving religion will not save us--only Jesus Christ can.

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