Sunday, February 14, 2016

True Worship

*|MC:SUBJECT|*

True Worship


Over the years much has been said and written in regard to the issue of worship. Even Jesus spoke about the Father seeking those who would “worship the Father in spirit and in truth.”

Read what our Lord said to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well:

“…You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:22-24).

There are a few important points to be taken from this passage. Jesus made it clear that “we know what we worship.”

Consider the opposite . . .

Acts 17 gives a clear example of intelligent people paying homage to a god they did not know. As Apostle Paul traveled through Athens, he came upon an altar erected with the inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Keep in mind; this was done in the midst of an educated population. The people of Greece took great pride in academia.

Now let’s reflect back on Jesus’ encounter with the woman. The Lord said that the Samaritans really did not know what or who they worshiped. He went on to say that the people of God have knowledge of—and are intimately acquainted with—the One they worshiped.

Jesus continued, “…true worshipers will worship in spirit and truth.” God is a spirit. Therefore, true worship is a spiritual experience.

It might serve us well to understand what worship is. By definition, it is not music, although music can be a result of the experience. Rather, worship is more about the condition of the heart. Whether we look at Old or New Testament, worship involves paying homage (or to prostrate oneself). The example of “a dog licking his master’s hand” is found in the Strong’s Concordance. It involves adoration and reverence and is more an attitude of heart than of simply singing a song. Music is not found in the definition.

God, our Father, seeks this demonstration of inward brokenness and humility more than a song. Obviously, when we experience this inner work, or grace, it is commonly displayed with songs of love and adoration. It is best not to get the two confused. The outward manifestation is fruit of the inward transformation.

To sing songs without having experienced the work of grace is mere religion. We may just as well build an altar to an unknown god. Keep in mind; grace is not simply undeserved, unmerited favor. True grace involves “divine influence on the heart, the reflection in the life.”

True worship is the product of a heart surrendered to the Master. If we fail to lay prostrate in our hearts and give God reverence inwardly, we need not kneel or lay before Him in a false, religious act.

The Father seeks those that worship from a heart of love and devotion. May we be such a people.

Grace & Peace,
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