“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? If I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. You say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? When you offer those lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor?.. For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations… But you profane it… But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it… You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord. Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.” Malachi 1:6-8,11-14
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father. On that day many will say, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ Then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me.'” Matthew 7:21-23
“The King will answer, ‘Truly,.. as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:40
Malachi made clear what was expected of those who represented the Lord God to the people. The priests in his day had broken God’s covenant so blatantly, so audaciously, that their own deviousness had deceived them. Such is the way of man when God is not honored and selfishness reigns.
There are warnings throughout Scripture to beware any choices made that sully or curb pure devotion. The Lord God knows the intent of the heart, and denounces any forged or flippant worship. He is high and holy and will not be mocked. If His called children dishonor Him, they will be dishonored. He is not fooled by our duplicity, and does not stand for half-heartedness and insincerity. (Matthew 25:31-40; Galatians 6:7)
But we sure do. We think it fine that we assess God a certain degree of devotion, then shift priorities and allegiances elsewhere. We can separate everyday life from spiritual or ecclesiastical life at each enticing opportunity or the turn of a day. Where do we mark out set time with God, even daily devotion or church attendance, yet live in a disconnect where we don’t even recognize our insincerity or double-mindedness?
All we do is unto the Lord. In what relationships or responsibilities are we half-hearted? In what situations do we profane God’s name, or offer Him leftovers? Where do we kowtow to others, yet dismiss our Father? He is the One worthy of our first and best. (Romans 14:7-8; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
Lord, in all I say and do, may I honor You.
As the rain and snow 
“ Lord, in all I say and do, may I honor You.” Amen!
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