2 Timothy 3:16-17
King James Version
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof,
for correction,
for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
What are vain repetitions?
What does vain repetition mean?
First, let the dictionary define "vain".
In this post, it means "useless", or "producing no result".
What, do you think, are vain repetitions in our various churches?
I will refer to a couple here.
For I was once a Catholic.
According to Scripture, vain repetitions are these:
Matthew 6:7
King James Version
7 But when ye pray,
use not vain repetitions,
as the heathen do:
for they think that they shall be heard
for their much speaking.
Hebrews 10:11
King James Version
11 And every priest standeth daily
ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices,
which can never take away sins:
The first verse refers to how I used to pray the rosary.
The second verse refers to how I used to attend mass.
Rebelling at anything repetitive, mindless, and robotic, I did ask many questions early on.
No one volunteered an answer, until GOD made me born again over 30 months ago.
Then, I began reading Scripture.
The WORD of GOD opened my eyes, soothed my heart, and delighted my being.
GOD's SPIRIT made things clear for me.
Now, I knew there was REAL basis for my questions.
JESUS did not want us to use vain repetitions when we pray.
He did not want us to be like the heathen.
Matthew 6:8
King James Version
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them:
for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of,
before ye ask him.
Rather, the LORD taught us what to pray.
Matthew 6:9-13
King James Version
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
for ever.
Amen.
GOD does not delight in the sacrifice of rams, bulls, lambs, and goats.
Isaiah 1:11
King James Version
11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me?
saith the Lord:
I am full of the burnt offerings of rams,
and the fat of fed beasts;
and I delight not in the blood of bullocks,
or of lambs,
or of he goats.
Scripture gave these reasons.
Hebrews 10:3
King James Version
3 But in those sacrifices
there is a remembrance again
made of sins every year.
Hebrews 10:4
King James Version
4 For it is not possible
that the blood of bulls and of goats
should take away sins.
Hebrews 10:11
King James Version
11 And every priest standeth daily
ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices,
which can never take away sins:
GOD does not delight in vain oblations.
Isaiah 1:13
King James Version
13 Bring no more vain oblations;
incense is an abomination unto me;
the new moons and sabbaths,
the calling of assemblies,
I cannot away with;
it is iniquity,
even the solemn meeting.
He already offered the PERFECT LAMB.
His SON, JESUS.
Hebrews 10:10
King James Version
10 By the which will we are sanctified
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ
once for all.
Hebrews 10:12-14
King James Version
12 But this man,
after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever,
sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering
he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
That sacrifice of the LORD JESUS, dying on the CROSS to save us from our sins, sufficed.
There is no other sacrifice more to be done, that's why we are warned:
Hebrews 10:26-27
King James Version
26 For if we sin wilfully
after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment
and fiery indignation,
which shall devour the adversaries.
Of course, this world belongs to the enemy.
Expect him to twist everything the LORD perfected.
And this is what we are asked to do in these very trying times:
1 Thessalonians 5:23
King James Version
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body
be preserved blameless
unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let's get our gospel right, and we shall live right.
Only by being born again, born of the water, and of GOD's SPIRIT, can you begin to understand what JESUS taught us.
Only in JESUS can we have SALVATION.
And that is a fact.
Pray, to know.
Related material:
An Urgent Message For Roman Catholics
"Saved By Grace, Not By Good Works"
Image source: Unsplash
