What is worship ? if you ask this question to a Roman Catholic the response will be going to church and attending the Mass, taking Holy Communion, get blessed with the holy water and/or Holy Oil. If you ask the question to a Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal follower the response will be singing hymns, Psalms, reading of the Bible, followed by a Sermon and Holy Communion, having fellowship with Church members. If you ask the same question to Assembles of God Church members, they will say Praise and worship with good loud Songs ( clapping of hands, Good music bands (Drums / Keyboard / guitar)), followed by spirit filled prayer, talking in tongues and listening to good sermon.
As Christians (no matter which denomination we belong to) we are tuned to this form of practice which we call it “worship”. There is always a satisfaction when we do this kind of worship on Sundays. There is nothing wrong in this, but one thing note here is we do “different forms” of worship.
I did recently learnt about what Bible’s Definition of Worship and I want to share this part of my Post.
Paul defines how our worship should be in Romans
'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. ' Romans 12:1
Let’s break this and understand little more in detail, as Paul is writing this to his followers from Rome as 'Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters’
Romans 12:1 Defines True Worship in three parts
God’s mercy
Living Sacrifice
Holy and pleasing to God
God’s Mercy
The first part of worship is God’s mercy, Romans 12:1 The verse starts as “in view of God’s mercy”, What is this God’s mercy Paul is referring to?, God’s mercy is referring to the following (not limited to below 6)
1. God choose us as Sons and Daughters of him, we did not choose God, he chose us, in spite of our sinful nature
2. He saved us not because of righteous things we had done but because of his mercy.
The word of God says
'he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ' Titus 3:5
3. He did not make us pay penalty for our Sins instead, he chose to take the cross and paid for our sins.
4. The same holy spirit that he had , he gave it to us freely, so that we have direct access to him.
5. He continues to love us and be patient with us even though we fall short of his Glory.
6. If we come and confess our sins from heart, he will forgive and get the righteousness that he has planned for us.
Living Sacrifice
Second Part of God’s worship is Living Sacrifice, Romans 12:1 The verse goes on to Say “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice”, What do you mean by living sacrifice?
Old testament talks of sacrifice as offering an animal that is a unblemished (free from any defects, hale and healthy) to God.
But as Christians living sacrifice means offering our human self’s as sacrifice, it means offering our body, soul and spirit to Jesus, read the word “living”. We have to live a sacrificial life to Christ
Living a sacrificial life to Christ means do we live a life without any pleasures of the world ? or should we isolate ourselves and live like a saint cut out from the world. The answer is no, Ask this question Why did God create this world? It is for us to live and enjoy the creations of the world, that does not mean we keep the world as 1st priority, our eyes should be set on Jesus and he will fill our hearts with desires which we should use in this world. The desires which is holy and pleasing in his sight. That’s the key between believers of Christ vs. non-believers.
· Live a life with an attitude of “Slave to Righteousness”, we have to possess the qualities of Slave - surrendering attitude to Christ, consider yourself low and humble and always be ready to work what the master asks us to do. This is what Paul writes in Romans 6,
'You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to
righteousness. ' Romans 6:18
We as Human are filled with talents, God asks us to use it for his glory. Bible says how we should use our talents
'We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 'Romans 12:6-8
Holy and pleasing to God
Third Part of God’s worship is we being Holy and Pleasing to God, Romans 12:1 Goes on to say “holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
What is this holy and pleasing to God?
Ask yourself anything what you do, is this pleasing to God? So we may say it’s very difficult or impossible to live that type of “Living Sacrificial life ” or “holy” life in a world. Paul advices us on how to overcome in Romans 12.2 - “transformed by the renewing of your mind “ True Transformation starts from mind. That can happen only if we move our heart from human self-centeredness to God centeredness. We need to renew our mind every single day and seek God’s word, pray and then his holy spirit will help us renew our mind and thoughts and then we find peace and happiness.
'Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ' Romans 12:2
Surrender to God’s will - God will give you the right desires and protect you from the worldly desires, Paul says if we renew our mind with Godly things “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is “. The will of God will be “good, pleasing and perfect will” .Remember God’s will is Perfect
Constantly look inward within you that is not Christlike characters. Paul tells this in analogy with roots (Christ) and branches (as us human being) in Romans 11
'do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. ' Romans 11:18,21-22
'Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.' Romans 13:14
Remember “this is your true and proper worship” . Comes only if you
Acknowledge “God’s mercy”
Offer yourself as a “Living Sacrifice” and
Live “Holy and pleasing to God”
Ask God to help practice this worship daily 24X7, Rather than the worship that’s done only on Sunday alone.
Very good Kirupa. Feeling blessed. Covered well about what God expects the Worship from us.
God bless your writings.