Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
The idea in PART I was that God wants our entire life, every part, every aspect, for all time - and given willingly for His pleasure. The level of surrender is so extreme, that Paul used the language of a sheep being laid on the alter to be slaughtered and consumed in the fire. The worship God seeks (and deserves) is a commitment to faithfulness unto death that is literally all-consuming. The longer we live out that kind of commitment, in both good times and through our most difficult of trials, the more pure our worship becomes and the more glory God receives. This is worship in the Big Picture and there is no greater "Halleluiah" in God's ears than a committed Christian who stands firm to end, no matter what the cost.
However, that is not all the Bible says about worship. And don't make the mistake of thinking that BIG Picture means the most important.
A word used more frequently for "worship" in the Bible is "Proskenuo." This Greek word is used about 60 times in the New Testament and if you looked it up, you’ll find a few definitions: “to kiss the hand” - like was customary when approaching a king in some cultures; or to fall on ones knees or even face down, in respect. One definition even compared it to a dog licking his master’s hand!
On a personal level, worship is a humble, yet passionate act of submission and affection to the one being worshiped. It has no concern or sense of shame for what others may think of any such display of love and affection – only that the Master is pleased.
Certainly God desires our faithful commitment. But the other side of worship involves the passion we invest in the individual expressions we offer to God in the moment. These are two sides of the same thing and God desires both. He wants Quantity AND Quality; He wants Commitment AND Passion; He wants our Will AND our Heart.
What kind of testimony is a Christian who attends church every time the doors are open, but shows no evidence of love for God or God’s people?... never smiling, never singing, clapping, raising hands, or showing any outward evidence that God is real in their life? Of course it is never our place act as judge and jury over the condition of someone else’s heart – but Jesus did tell us that we can recognize His followers by the “fruit” that is visible in our lives. (Mt 7:16) So when it comes to worship, it is not enough to have commitment without passion. (Just ask your spouse if you have any doubts.)
But wait!… the opposite is equally disturbing! Is it not heartbreaking to know a believer who has been openly passionate and enthusiastic for God (maybe a personal friend or even a Christian celebrity). They speak with tears in their eyes about how much they love God with all their hearts, and would do absolutely anything for Him and His kingdom. Then we discover months later they’ve moved on from their “Christian phase" and no longer follow Christ – maybe even openly oppose Him and the “fools” who follow Him.
Let’s not be lopsided worshipers. As we seek to give God glory and honor with lives of long-term faithfulness, let’s also bless His heart in the moment with passionate, heartfelt, intimate expressions of worship. Maybe that is simply saying “I love you” to Him out loud in some quiet moment alone. Maybe it’s singing your lungs out, hands raised high, in a Sunday morning worship service. If it is from your heart to His, it is Worship. And God is smiling, maybe even crying tears of joy, because that is what He has been looking forward to from the day He made you.
For His Glory,
DS