THE FATHER WHO LOVES FLOWERS Why the New Testament Cannot Sustain an “Authorized vs. Unauthorized” Worship System

Where is the authorization for having a church building, for putting up a sign, for belonging to a separate denominated group distinct from other believers? Where is the authorization for preachers who speak to the same congregation every Sunday? It isn’t there—because it doesn’t have to be. The New Testament simply isn’t that kind of system. Either go all the way with this authorized-versus-unauthorized mindset or step off that legal train entirely and begin walking in the grace of Christ. He has freed you from that kind of system so that you may serve Him in any way that is good, that expresses love for God, and that expresses love for others.

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Imagine this picture—quiet, simple…and devastating.

A father sits in his home, and his little children come running to him with a flower they picked from the yard. The petals are uneven, the stem is bent, and a little dirt still clings to the roots. But they are smiling; their eyes shine with affection; they simply want to give their father something beautiful because they love him.

Now imagine that father tearing the flower to pieces. Imagine him shouting, “You did not have authority to pick this flower!” Imagine him locking the children away, disowning them, cutting them off forever—not because they brought something evil, but because they brought something not “specifically authorized.”

No sane person believes such a father is good. And yet—some have imagined God that way. And have unintentionally misrepresented Him that way.

Affection Cannot Be Commanded

Love cannot be produced by regulations; affection cannot be generated by syllogisms; devotion cannot be sustained by fear. The New Testament is not the story of a God who polices technical details but of a God who pours His love into human hearts through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:5). Worship in the new covenant rises from relationship, not regulation—from hearts captured by grace, not consciences enslaved by checklists.

Anyone who has tasted the goodness of God knows: You cannot command affection. You can only awaken it.

And the gospel awakens it.

Why the “Authorized/Unauthorized Acts of Worship” System Collapses

There is a mindset—sincere, but tragically misguided—that speaks of “the five acts of worship,” of “authorized” versus “unauthorized” actions, as if the New Testament were a legal code rather than a covenant of grace.

But the case is painfully simple:

There is not a single line in the New Testament that divides Christian worship into “acts.”

There is not a single passage that treats worship as a list of regulated rituals requiring explicit authorization.

There is not a single verse that gives a blueprint of a worship service.

Instead:

• The New Testament speaks of lives offered to God (Romans 12:1).

• Worship becomes the fruit of lips touched by grace (Hebrews 13:15).

• Singing arises from hearts filled with the Spirit, not from legal obligation (Ephesians 5:19).

• Giving is cheerful and voluntary (2 Corinthians 9:7).

• Prayer is continual (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

• The Lord’s Supper is about Christ, not compliance (1 Corinthians 11:23–26).

If the New Testament intended a strict regulatory system, it would have given one. Instead, it gave us a Savior—and then said, “Follow Him.”

An Unavoidable Truth: If Legal Authorization Is Required, No One Is Safe

Here is the problem that no one in that old mindset wants to face: If God condemns anything not explicitly authorized, then no one—literally no one—is safe.

Because:

• Where is the authorization for church buildings, pews, electricity, microphones?

• Where is the authorization for clapping, for saying “Amen”, for using PowerPoints?

• Where is the authorization for multiple cups, passing trays, or using grape juice instead of wine?

• Where is the authorization for Wednesday night services?

If “silent Scripture” condemns, then silence condemns everyone, everywhere, every week.

It is an impossible system.

It collapses under its own weight.

Grace Changes Everything

In Christ, God is not the father who tears apart the flower—He is the Father who smiles at the child’s attempt, gathers the little hands close, and says, “Thank you—I love that you brought this to Me.”

The new covenant is built—not on precision—but on a Person.

Not on technicalities—but on truth.

Not on rituals—but on relationship.

The Father seeks worshipers who love Him, not worshipers who fear making a mistake (John 4:23–24).

He seeks hearts—

hearts moved by the beauty of Christ,

hearts lifted by grace,

hearts that bring Him a flower simply because they love Him.

BDD