Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Worship (05/03/04)
|
TITLE: A Lifestyle Worth Living By Robert Allwright 05/03/04 |
 LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND
|
A number of words in the Bibles original languages are translated as worship. The original words have many different meanings including “bow down”, “reverence”, “veneration”, “service”, “ceremonial observance”, “adoration” and “sacrifice”.
Worship is something that we give voluntarily, when we think something is worthy of our honour. In the form of respect it is given to people of a higher social standing, or age. However , true worship should only be given to God. Everyone and everything else is flawed. God is the only one who is 100% flawless and totally worthy of worship.
God not only desires our worship, but he also demands it. (Ex 20:5) In fact worship is meant for God alone. When in Revelation John bows down to an angel in respect he is reprimanded by the angel.
“I knelt at the feet of the angel and began to worship him. But the angel said, "Don't do that! I am a servant, just like you and everyone else who tells about Jesus. Don't worship anyone but God. Everyone who tells about Jesus does it by the power of the Spirit." (Rev 19:10)
Worship should be our heart-response to God for what Jesus has done, and just because God is God.
The Bible shows that worship involves four things.
Involves speaking out - when you worship you use your mouth to praise God, to try and express yourself and the way you feel. Often that expression is put into church ritual and songs.
Involves listening. - when you are worshipping you are responding to God. To respond to someone you need to hear what they are saying, otherwise the experience is one sided. It is not only communication, but also communion with God. Communion is the act of sharing thoughts and feelings and engaging in spiritual fellowship. When you worship you can share with God all those things that build up in your life and hinder your walk with Him. He can then ‘clear you out’ so you are someone who is surrendered to His will.
Involves doing - when you are surrendered to God He can and will ask you to do things. God asking you to do something isn’t worship, but you being obedient is. “To obey is better than sacrifice, to listen than the fat of rams” (1 Sam 15:22)
Involves a 24/7 commitment to God. Although there are times in church life when we share worship together (communal worship), we should also have personal worship through the life and our witness. It should be in every area of our lives and not just in our songs on a Sunday or at a youth meeting. The Bible says “When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honour God.” (1Cor 10:31)
Expression of worship is more than going to church singing hymns, and more than trying to be a ‘goody two shoes’ it is complete and utter submission and obedience to God. When we sing, dance, teach, preach or give as worship we may feel self conscious before other people, but we are doing it for God, it’s Him we want to please, not our friends. Living as people who worship with our lives can be costly, because we will stand out from the crowd and you will be noticed for being different. Jesus very life was worship, and He gave it away. It won’t be easy, but if God is for us, who can stand against us?
Handling your life in a way that shows you are in submission to God is worship. Show your respect for God by living in a way that is pleasing to Him. Live a lifestyle worth living!
Article orignally printed in Soteria Magazine February 2004