Ceremony without substance

What is meant by the word, ceremony?

Here, it refers to a ritual, a practice, or an outward display that's symbolic of something else.

The "something else" would be the substance, the real deal, the real spirituality, the manifestation of the power, the glory, and the truth that can change someone from the inside out.

Can there be a meaningful religion or spirituality WITHOUT ceremonies?

Can you and I be spiritual people if we do NOT want to be involved in certain ceremonies?

Paul wrote to believers,

Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. Colossians 2:16

One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike.

Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. Romans 14:5

CEREMONIES 

Someone has called certain practices, "faith extenders" because they allow the user to reach out to the Lord through these.

Can you name any ceremonies?

How about these as a partial list?

Water baptism. Acts 2:41; 8:12; 10:47-48; 22:16; Romans 6:3-4

The Lord's Supper: Holy Communion. Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:20-26

Altar calls: Invite people to be saved by the Lord Jesus Christ Romans 10:6-13 or draw closer to the Father. James 4:8

Kneeling. Acts 21:5; Ephesians 3:14

Praying the Lord's Prayer. Matthew 6:9-13

Praise and worship with or without musical accompaniment. Psalm 34:1; 150:6; John 9:35-38; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16

Lifting up holy hands. Nehemiah 8:6; Lamentations 3:41; Psalm 28:2; 134:2; 1 Timothy 2:8

Laying on of hands. Luke 4:40; Acts 6:3-6; 8:14-17; 19:5-6; 28:8; Hebrews 6:1-2

Bowing our heads. Exodus 4:31; 2 Chronicles 29:30; Lamentations 2:10

Any of these can be done to make a good impression outwardly, Galatians 6:12 that is, to be seen by other people. Matthew 6:2, 5

So, if our reward is to be noticed by others and not only God the Father Who sees in secret, Matthew 6:1, 3-6, 16-18 these would be "ceremonies" WITHOUT divinely-spiritual substance.

We may THINK and BELIEVE that these are pleasing to God the Father, John 8:29; 1 John 3:22 that they honor the Lord Jesus Christ, John 5:22-23 and that they are spiritual practices set apart through the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:15-16; 2 Corinthians 6:6; 1 Peter 1:22

But they might NOT be.

Why?

You may be surprised to learn that some who attend religious meetings do NOT have a personal relationship with the One they're supposed to be worshipping.

They haven't YET been born again into new creations through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. John 1:12-13; 3:3-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17

They might know some biblical truth and have a form of godliness 2 Timothy 3:5 but they deny Him through how they live. Titus 1:16 

Haven't most of us been there?

For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. Titus 3:3

As Paul wrote about what it meant to be a Jew, Romans 2:28-29 this could apply similarly to Christians.

One is a Christian inwardly, not outwardly. 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, Who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:2-4

When people gather in meetings, whether formal or informal, 1 Corinthians 11:17-18; 14:26; Hebrews 10:24-25 they may IMITATE others and FOLLOW what leaders say they are to do at that time. 1 Corinthians 11:1-2

"Everyone in the building, lift your hands to the Lord and shout!"

"Let's bow down and worship the Lord."

"Let's pray together the prayer in your bulletin."

"Come forward now to partake of Holy Communion."

These can be done without having any spiritual substance that COULD and SHOULD be part of these actions.

CEREMONIES CAN HAVE SPIRITUAL REALITY

How can what we do in our private spiritual times and if we join others in public gatherings be authentic, biblically-real, and powerful enough to change us from glory to glory? 2 Corinthians 3:18

Whatever biblically-sound ceremonies or other actions we engage in, we can seek for a divine connection with the One Who is the substance.

Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. 

These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ. Colossians 2:16-17

We can't let the ceremony become the focus.

The Lord Jesus Christ is to have the preeminence, the first place. Colossians 1:18

The ceremony itself does NOT automatically put the Savior first in our hearts.

WE must do that by faith Ephesians 3:17 as we trust in His love. John 15:9-10 

If we don't SEEK HIM and CONNECT WITH HIM during a ceremony, we might be deceived into a belief that the ceremony itself satisfies the Father Who seeks people to worship Him in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24; Philippians 3:3

Let's be those who realize that certain practices may appear to be good. 

Those who follow them may be enthusiastic but lack knowledge. Romans 10:1-3

They worship what they don't know. John 4:22

If our hearts don't burn within us Luke 24:32 when HE draws near to us, James 4:8 we may be guilty of honoring the Lord only with our lips [or other body parts] while our spiritual hearts are far from Him. Mark 7:6

He is worthy of much more adoration than that. Luke 17:12-19; Revelation 5:1-14

Your thoughts?

R. Jason