True Worship Part 1: What & Why

Christian Worship is the response of born again believers to the revelation of God. It is based upon the work, the worth, and the word of God. It is achieved through the activity of God. It is directed to God. True worship is to ascribe worth to the one true God, to reflect upon the value, beauty, and character of God, who is truly there and who is truly worthy. It is expressed by the heart in humility, by the mind in captivity, by the lips in praise, and by the life in service. The thing we have to be careful about when “doing” theology or worship is that we can love thinking about God more than we actually love God, or that we can love loving God more than we actually do love God. True worship is concerned with doctrine, devotion, and demonstration. It is worshipping the right God, in the right way, and with the right heart. It is a lifetime pursuit and an eternal destiny.

False worship is to attribute worth to something which is not real, or to something which is not worthy, be they false gods or things not necessarily associated with god, but are idolatry nonetheless, such as worship of self, or money, and on and on we could go. Aberrant or deviant worship is to worship the right God but in the wrong way, or to worship the right God in the right way but with the wrong heart. Sincerity in worship is not necessarily the same thing as worship in spirit and truth, which God is looking for (John 4:23-24).

We should search the Scriptures on the subject of worship because worship is important to God, and because of the consequences of false worship. Cain’s sacrifice was rejected by God because it was false worship (Genesis 4:3-5). 3000 people died in one day because of the false worship of the golden calf fashioned by Aaron (Exodus 32). Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, were destroyed because any worship God doesn’t prescribe is detestable in His sight (Leviticus 10:1-3). The kingdom of Israel was divided because of the idolatry of the nation (1 Kings 11:31-33, 12:26-33). Israel made an idol out of something that God himself had instituted for their deliverance (Numbers 21:4-9 / 2 Kings 18:4). The fall of Jerusalem was directly attributable to apostasy and false worship (Jeremiah 16:11-13). Paul wrote that God was justified in condemning man because he worshiped in error (Romans 1:25). Satan fell from heaven because he sought worship for himself, and seeks those who will worship him (cf. Matthew 4:9).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©