Religion, in its many forms, has a common thread: doing good in order to be accepted. That was the pattern of Old Testament legalism too. The result was a constant undercurrent of fear: fear of God's anger and fear of being inadequately good. When God gave the Law to Moses, the mountain shook and the people were terrified (Hebrews 12:18-21), but the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ brings us peace as we are welcomed into relationship with God through repentance and faith. Instead of trying to achieve salvation though our good deeds, Jesus has taken away the record of our bad deeds and given us a place in His kingdom.

There is nothing we can do to contribute to our salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9), but we can and must be thankful. Firstly, that our access to God's kingdom is a hugely generous free gift, purchased by the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-20). Secondly, that we are totally secure: His kingdom cannot be shaken by the wickedness of the world or the evil of Satan (Matthew 16:18). Thirdly, that our security is eternal; nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:35-39).

Our response should be gratitude. Thankfulness is a great antidote to pride, as it recognises both the gift and the giver, and the indebtedness of the recipient. The gift of eternal life is contained in Jesus Christ alone (Romans 6:23). The welcome into His eternal kingdom is through His grace alone. And so worship is not a way to make ourselves acceptable, but to thank the Lord that He has made us acceptable (Ephesians 1:6). Worship, which pleases Him, is full of thankfulness for what He has done in saving us. It is not just what we do in church, but the whole of our lifestyle (Romans 12:1-2) that demonstrates our gratitude, our honour of Jesus and our awareness that His is a consuming fire.

And yet we are so easily lulled into a religious security: even the routine of religious activities and our good deeds can be 'me-centred' and 'ego-boosting', distracting us from wholehearted worship of our wonderful Lord. Or we can separate out the religious part of our lives from how we are at work and at home: our zeal and godly focus is not consistent with the way we relate with people or do our work. How much we need the fresh challenge of today's verses. God looks for worship that is heart-felt from people who humbly accept their need of forgiveness, and their need of help to live in a way that will please Him. Such people rejoice in their salvation and live to His glory. Their worship is in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). As today's passage says, 'let us be thankful and worship God acceptably in reverence and awe.' Those who refuse to do so invite His wrath.