What are the ingredients? What constitutes its makeup? Is there a formula we can all use? The answer would be easier if you asked what it’s not. Before attempting to broaden our understanding of the subject, note several incorrect beliefs people hold. It’s not an event, which we can schedule or confine to one day of the week. Neither is it synonymous with singing or the feelings that music creates. I have to confess this study of worship has reached deep down in my heart as I realized how little I really knew. I wondered if my worship pleased God or if it amounted to what Jesus charged the Pharisees with; they worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men’ (Mk 7:7; Mt 15:9 NIV). So what constitutes true worship?
The word for worship began as the act of prostrating or bowing before a superior or a ruler. It first appeared in Genesis when three angels came to Abram at the oaks of Mamre. Recognizing their authority, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth (18:2). The primary NT word literally means to kiss as a dog licking his master’s hand. By this time, both words indicated giving homage and reverence to the Lord because of who He is. The Pharisees had reduced worship to rituals. When Jesus told them they were worshipping in vain, they were criticizing His disciples for not following one of their rituals of a ceremonial method for washing their hands.
Jesus brought a new perspective when He told the Samaritan woman at the well, yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth (Jn 4:23 NIV). The essence of worship is not a physical act or done only at a certain location. True worship flows out of the heart. The Lord said: Because these people approach Me with their mouths to honor Me with lip-service- yet their hearts are far from Me, and their worship [consists of] man-made rules learned [by rote]– (Is 29:13 HCSB). Lip service renders only vain worship. Jesus also said it must be in truth. True worship does not happen based on what we desire that is contrary to God’s prescribed truth and the leading of the Spirit. People have engaged in false and unacceptable worship since Cain and Abel. The Lord rejected Cain’s offering of vegetables. Inappropriate worship can bring more than rejection. Nadab and Abihu’s offering of unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command brought His wrath (Lev 10:1 NIV). So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord (v2). These examples show the seriousness of worship.
We may sing, dance, kneel, shout, or raise our hands as outward manifestations in response to the worship happening in our hearts. But, merely going through the motions out of routine does not constitute worship. Any outward expressions should reveal the spiritual act of worship taking place inside. Water baptism does not result in salvation rather it is a public declaration of what has spiritually taken place within a new convert. Essential to understanding true worship is the fact God is the focus of worship. Worship is never about us. The Levitical Law in the Old Testament mandated five different sacrificial offerings—the trespass offering, the sin offering, the peace offering, the meal offering, and the burnt offering. In the first four, the priest and the offerors received back a portion of the meat. However, no one received any part of the burnt offering; the priest totally burned the animal before God. It was an act of worship focused completely on the Lord.
This is the imagery behind Paul’s admonition of offering our body as a living sacrifice. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship (Rom 12:1). This verse reveals several important aspects of worship. It isn’t limited to what we do on Sunday or in our times of devotions. All of life—24/7— should be a continuous expression of worship reflecting the worth and value of God. For believers, worship becomes a lifestyle involving every part and action of life. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1Corin 10:31 NIV). Singing should be an expression of worship just as raising our hands in praise, or kneeling, etc. Yet, these will amount to mere rituals without an inner attitude of humility, reverence, and respect.
We must not confuse praise with worship. When we praise, we give thanks to God for all the things He has done for us. Worship goes far beyond and focuses on who He is. Worship must be a priority not viewed as an option, or a special service, or what takes place during the Sunday Worship Service. A.W. Tozer said, “Worship is the missing jewel of the church.” Yet, to worship God, you have to know who He is, His greatness, His love, and His sovereignty. The more we know Him, the greater our attitude and lifestyle of worship becomes. Living a lifestyle of worship begins by refusing to be conformed to this world and being transformed by the renewing of our mind (Rom 12:2).
Sustaining Word for the Week: What constitutes worship? Valuing him above everyone and everything and giving our life as a continual living sacrifice.