Appropriate/best relationships are not primarily and perpetually attempts to avoid judgment.1 This is relevant because worshipping God for this reason, perhaps even with resent and disgust, uses God as simply as a means to an end.
But wait, doesn't the Bible encourage using God to escape punishment? [See response]2
By way of response, however,…• …Matthew 3:10 -- therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
• …Matthew 6:20 -- “…store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys,…
• …Matthew 10:28 -- rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (cf. Luke 12:5) 10:42 -- whoever [helps children] he shall not lose his reward.”
Appropriate relationships are not primarily and perpetually attempts to receive gifts (e.g. heaven, blessings).1, 2 This is relevant because worshipping God for this reason, perhaps even with resent and disgust, uses God as simply as a means to an end.
But wait, doesn't the Bible encourage using God for gifts? [See response]3
• …Colossians 3:24 -- knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.
• …Philippians 3:14 -- I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God
By way of response, however,…
• …this assume Christian theism (and Biblical inerrantism) is true.
• …a promise to reward someone for good works (visiting widows etc.) is not the same as rewarding someone for being in relationship. One challenging verse, however, is…
• …Matthew 6:5-6 -- “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. However, the primary message of this verse is not that one should pray in order to receive rewards. The primary message is that one ought not pray to be noticed by men. Moreover, nowhere does Jesus imply that you should pray just to receive reward. Jesus surely takes it for granted that the individual wants to pray for the right reasons, but explains how to get the most reward out of it. Moreover still, if one did want to say Jesus meant the sole reason for praying was for reward, plausibly, it will be the kind of reward we see Jesus saying people will receive, a kind honor in heaven, where heaven is something one could only desire while one is desiring God―it is inseperable from relationship to God.
Appropriate relationships are not primarily and perpetually attempts to receive religious experience or euphoric union.1, 2, 3 This is relevant because worshipping God for this reason, perhaps even with resent and disgust, uses God as simply as a means to an end.