(21) Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day

Modern worship, even by some definitions, has more to do with feelings than form. What matters, it seems, is not the quality of the offering but the affection of the worshiper. Actually, both are important. But even in analogous situations among equals it should be easy to see that attitude of the worshiper is not more important than their actions. I don't care how sincere you are, if you invite a polka band to my birthday party it was for you, not for me.

What we offer in worship matters. And, as much as we prefer personal expression over rigid rules, there are actually regulations for the right worship of God. Knowing those rules should be important to people who must worship God in spirit and truth. But to understand the need for rules we need to grasp our fundamental calling of worship.