Adolph Hitler liked to use Christian vocabulary. He often spoke about the blessings his government would bring when he became Germany’s leader. He would show his tattered Bible to the press, telling the world that he drew great strength from it. Many pious people welcomed him as a man sent from God. He was a master at showing outward piety, but inwardly, he was a Satan-inspired demon. Hitler was an extreme illustration of King Solomon’s warning as he dedicated the Temple he had just built for the LORD. In his prayer, Solomon first rehearsed God’s faithfulness to his people through the years. He envisioned the Temple to be a unique place to worship God, but he reminded the people that worship must be followed by obedience to God’s precepts. We read in 1 Kings 8, “Then people all over the earth will know that the LORD alone is God and there is no other. And may you be completely faithful to the LORD our God.” If our worship is followed by obedience to do God’s will, onlookers will regard our worship as authentic. But if our worship is self-centered or hypocritical, if we proudly view our blessings as our entitlement or strictly the work of our own hands, we can expect one day to have a horrible downfall.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
