Only True Knowledge Elicits True Worship

The pagans were prolific in building temples to deities through the third century A.D., but not so Christians.  Arnobius points out that in building temples, the pagans are demeaning the gods as if deities needed to come in out of the weather, or the buildings are for no purpose but to please the worshiper.  Christians, however, did not build temples or erect images.

But we rear no temples to them, and do not worship their images; we do not slay victims in sacrifice, we do not offer incense and libations of wine.  And what greater honor or dignity can we ascribe to them, than that we put them in the same position as the Head and Lord of the universe, to whom the gods owe it in common with us, that they are conscious that they exist, and have a living being?

The Case against the Pagans, Book VI, cap. 3

Arnobius here has pointed out that Christians, instead, recognize the greatness of deity in the person and work of the Most High, so that no special building or shrine is required or even adequate.  What matters most is to honor according to revelation.

Thus says the Lord:
    "Heaven is my throne,
        and the earth is my footstool;
    what is the house that you would build for me,
        and what is the place of my rest?" (Isa 66:1)

King Solomon was similarly overwhelmed by the Lord's greatness when undertaking construction of the temple during his reign.  Certainly, David and Solomon had the best intentions for this place of worship, still an admission in correspondence to Hiram, king of Tyre, should instill give us pause from thinking someone can perform something grand and glorious for any god, much less the God of gods.

The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.  But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him?  Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him? (2 Chr 2:5-6)

What we can take away is that when the triune God of heaven and earth is not properly recognized, he is not properly worshiped.  Many groups under the Christian umbrella have tried to "improve" on how scripture describes the Lord and his wondrous works only to reshape him into a manifestation of our culture.  No longer the sovereign king, he is turned into a weak emissary for an ideal trying to woo men with diplomacy and platitudes.  As a result, the glory and honor reserved for the King of kings and Lord of lords is considered shared among his creatures as they gather together praising themselves as the seal of perfection.

Had we a true understanding of the sinfulness of sin and the gift of grace through the Lord Jesus Christ, we would manifest this on Sunday mornings (or any day for that matter) by regular acknowledgment of our unworthiness to be called by his name as elect children and rejoice that our names are written in heaven.  What a grand privilege!  What an enormous responsibility!  What a Savior!