A Sincere Request: Before proceeding, please review my previous articles, listed in order, for context. If you've already read them, please continue.

Is Our Worship Genuine?

John the Baptist's mission was acceptable to God, aiming to unite with the Trinity, forming a Quaternity with himself and the multitude. However, we administer the 'Baptism of Water' by reading and listening to God's words, but fail to guide the multitude to the Garden of love. Instead, we associate them with man-made institutions, practicing a trial-and-error approach to adoration.

I use the term "trial-and-error" because John the Baptist never misused it; he lived by the religion of love and inspired others tirelessly by administering the baptism of repentance by water, the 'Baptism of Water' and 'Baptism of Repentance'. The 'Baptism of Water' we are administering is indeed a trial-and-error method to adore God – on one hand, we talk about God's adoration, while on the other hand, we are divided from those who have undergone the 'Baptism of Water' in other denominations. Moreover, we criticize them, create divisions, dislike them, and declare the rituals and regulations of our church superior to others.

No one can ride two boats: Is it not a double standard and hypocrisy to develop divisions with our neighbours while showcasing love for God? We churchgoers must sincerely find an answer to this question:

Do we have a genuine, divine relationship with members of other denominations? If so, why are we disintegrated instead of united in the Garden of love? If not, why do we practice a trial-and-error approach to worshiping God? Are we not taking God's name in vain?

As Jesus reminds us: "If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24, NIV)

The Paradox of Denominations:

Pathetic! Neither do churches tolerate each other! Nor can they coexist in harmony. Then, within our church boundaries, are we genuinely trying to please God through our offerings? Is it not a trial-and-error approach? God cannot be deceived, nor does He deceive. In fact, sadly, we're cheating ourselves through such a trial-and-error method of adoration! God tells administrators and recipients of the 'Baptism of Water' to break free from selfishness, establish loving relationships with other denominations, and then make offerings. This reveals the truth that God wants us to:

- Elevate from unrighteousness to righteousness through the sacrament of repentance and confession, the 'Baptism of Repentance'
- Unite in the Garden of love
- Unite in God
- Live by the religion of love, beyond selfishness

As the scripture records Jesus: "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." (John 15:12-14, NIV)

Break Free, Live by the Religion of Love:

If we give importance to Jesus, surrendered to God's love and loving humanity, we will break free from the boundaries of our physical church buildings and hug others with neighbourly love, confined within other church walls, also living out of religion of love. This is what Jesus continuously prays to the loving Almighty Father:

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:20-21, NIV)

If we are rigid and continue with our traditional trial-and-error approach to worship, then our tradition of worship will certainly be considered similar to that of the Pharisees and Scribes, as the scripture records Jesus:

You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. (Matthew 15:7-9, NIV)

A Spiritual Call to Action:

Shall we continue with our traditional trial-and-error approach to worship, or leave our offerings by the altar, jump out of the boundary of our physical church, and congregate at the Garden of love to seek repentance from the brothers stuck within the boundary of other churches? This question is in line with the words of God as mentioned in the scripture:

When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. (Isaiah 1:15, NIV)

Indeed, due to our hypocrisy and double standard, we are the assassins of the love that exists amongst our neighbours; therefore, Jesus appeals as recorded in the scripture:

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48, NIV)

This is because, ‘'God is love.' (1 John 4:8, NIV), a perfect love!

And that the Trinity is eager to unite with each one us to enhance to four, five, six, seven… and so on. Therefore, read in the next article the importance of tireless endeavour to attain spiritual perfection.

To be Continued…..

==> Stay tuned for our next article, where we'll uncover how 'Baptism: A Vow to be Spiritually Perfect' that transforms our faith journey.

Amen!

Praise be to God, Thanks be to God.

Not being Unrighteous is Religion!!

Jharkhand! Peace be upon you!!

India! Peace be upon you!!

Peace to the whole world!!