The Lodestar

Our interactions with others are a direct reflection of our relationship with God. While many seek to separate their treatment of people from their devotion to God, Scripture teaches that how we treat others profoundly impacts our worship.

The Inseparable Connection Between Worship and Relationships The Bible shows that love for God and love for people are intertwined. Jesus summarised the commandments by linking them: “You shall love the Lord your God… and… you shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:37—39). It is not possible to genuinely love and worship God while mistreating those around us. Worship becomes hollow when it is divorced from righteous conduct towards others. For instance, in Matthew 5:23—24, Jesus instructs that if someone is offering a gift at the altar and remembers a grievance with a brother, they must first reconcile before completing their worship. This highlights the priority God places on human relationships in the context of worship.

Respecting the Image of God in Others Every person bears the image of God (Genesis 1:27). When we treat others with contempt or disregard, we are, in effect, dishonouring the Image of God within them. How can one claim to revere God while simultaneously demeaning those created in His likeness? To act in such a way is hypocritical and undermines any claim to genuine worship. The book of James reinforces this by stating, “With it [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse people who are made in the likeness of God” (James 3:9). James exposes the inconsistency of claiming to bless God while mistreating others.

Examples from Scripture The prophet Isaiah conveys God’s disapproval of hypocritical worship. The Israelites would offer sacrifices and fast, yet their hearts remained distant from God due to their unjust treatment of others. Isaiah 58:6¬¬—7 reveals God’s preference for acts of justice and kindness over empty ritual, asking his people to “loose the bonds of wickedness” and “share [their] bread with the hungry.” Their failure to care for others invalidated their religious acts.

Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their outward displays of piety while neglecting “justice and the love of God” (Luke 11:42). These examples remind us that God evaluates our worship not solely on ritual or external devotion but also on the condition of our hearts and how we treat others.

Practical Application In our daily lives, we must embody the love and compassion that God desires. This is not limited to overt kindness but involves treating everyone with dignity, respect, and fairness. Whether in the workplace, at home, or in social interactions, we must reject actions and attitudes that demean others. Acts of gossip, disrespect, or discrimination are incompatible with true worship. If we wrong someone, reconciliation should be a priority. Holding grudges, refusing to forgive, or failing to seek forgiveness hinder our worship of God. Jesus’ command to forgive “seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22) indicates the centrality of forgiveness in the Christian life. It is an extension of God's grace, and without it, our worship becomes hollow. True worship cannot exist in isolation from how we treat others. Honouring God with our hearts and actions is impossible while dishonouring those around us. The Scriptures consistently point to the deep connection between worship and human relationships. We must strive to treat others with the same respect, love, and dignity that we claim to offer to God. In doing so, we reflect His character and truly honour Him.

(David Paul, a devoted church member, passionately ignites the imaginations of aspiring writers with his eloquent prose. With sincere dedication, he strives to nurture the creative spark within budding writers, guiding them towards literary excellence and self-expression.)