I think I've just about run down the Col 3:16 theme. Some are getting tired of it, and I can see why. I feel like it's time to move on.
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It's interesting that Paul told the Roman Christians to give their bodies as a living sacrifice as an act ... of worship (Rom 12:1). Now, hang on, Paul. We're American Christians. We know worship. That's the singing part of a church service. Okay, maybe a little more. I've heard people claim that the sermon is part, but I've also heard pastors argue that it's not. No, no, worship is just, primarily, a glad heart toward God. So what does this "present your bodies as a living sacrifice" thing have to do with feeling good about God?
I think we have an oddly modern, American view of "worship." Worship is, in essence, applying worth -- "worth-ship" if you will. Christian worship is applying the utmost value to God. And, as long as we're in this physical life, we're going to be in conflict with that very concept. Paul said, "No one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it" (Eph 5:29). We are, in fact, deeply in love with ourselves. So if worship is assigning to God the highest value, we'd have to give to Him that which we consider most valuable. In its most basic form, that's our own bodies. If we can offer to God that which we value most, that's worship.
Many of us are going to "houses of worship" today. It's only partly accurate, isn't it? Because, if "worship" is assigning the utmost value to God, then worship occurs anywhere. Anywhere that people assign to God the highest value, people are worshiping. In church, in the parking lot, at home, anywhere. We should, I believe, all be in the business of sacrificing self on the altar as an act of worship to our God ... as a good starting point for worship.
4 comments:
We are woefully bad at worshipping God. We compartmentalize so much of our lives into different categories, not realizing all of it is either in worship of God or ourselves.
“Tired” of “let[ting] the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God”? Not me! I have appreciated this series and all the songs with rich content that were featured.
Neither do I grow tired of today’s theme: remembering that our quest to live out our honor and respect for God ought not be reserved for Sunday mornings or confined to “houses of worship” but properly occurs anywhere and anytime our heart is properly focused.
Not to worry, Lorna. Not dired of the concept; tired of the theme in my blog. I'm hoping that these entries might have encouraged others to continue the concept without necessarily requiring my blog to do it.
We are woefully poor at worship, yes. We boil it down to "good feelings" and "in church on Sunday" and fail to see that all we do should glorify God, that our entire lives should be a life of worship, giving Him all praise all the time.
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