Pursuing authentic worship

The Opportunity of a Lifetime! (pt 4) October 28, 2011

What is  “your spiritual worship?”

This verse (Rom12:1) concludes with the descriptive term, “your spiritual worship.”  In other versions it’s called “service of worship” or “reasonable service.” It refers to the act of worship – something I do – not as just an outward act, but an inward response resulting in outward action. It is not blind devotion but a reasonable devotion. We have all the reason in the world to worship God through Jesus Christ. The previous chapters brought us to this conclusion.

This “window on worship” shows us that worship is our response to God – who He is and all that He has revealed to us.  The truth of who God is, who we are without Christ and who we are in Christ (the gospel), compels us to offer all that we are to Him in love, adoration and service. Offering ourselves like this is not unnatural or unreasonable. In fact, it is reasonable and the fulfillment of why we were created. As an old song states it, “we were made to worship.”

Whereas the John 4:24 passage uses “proskuneo” to define worship as “to kiss or kiss the ground” (intimacy),  this passage uses the word “latreuo” and it has the sense of service or  worshipping God by what I do – living out my calling as His servant. Both of these elements are vital to becoming an authentic worshipers!

The challenging question that arises most from this passage is how we will respond!

Paul urges us: “by the mercies of God to present our bodies as a living sacrifice.” Notice:

• By the mercies of God He has now freed you to do this.
• By the mercies of God he has given you this opportunity to invest your life for His eternal purposes.
• By the mercies of God, He has enlightened your heart, washed your sins away, raised you with Christ so you can present your body.
• By the mercies of God, He wants to use the rest of your life for His glory and your good!

Present your life to Him now! This opportunity is available to you now. He’s opened the way. Don’t waste your life on temporal living. Inherent in this plea is the imperative to turn or repent. We must turn from world driven living to worship driven living! And note that on the heels of this verse is verse 2. Paul explains further how to carry out this invitation.

I’ve heard it said that the only problem with living sacrifices is that they tend to crawl off the alter! If that’s the case for you it’s time to change direction (repent) and recommit yourself to the One who made you a new creature. Get back on that alter and continue dedicating your life to God out of love, worship and gratitude for all Christ has done for you, knowing He will provide the grace to serve Him as He’s called you. This is the “Normal Christian life”. (See Watchman Nee’s book on this. ) Oh how we need this vision in the Church. The normal Christian life is the dedicated, crucified, Spirit-filled life!

Lord, it’s easy to write and read these words and agree with them, yet what You are looking for is not just a mental assent but an active response with my heart, mind and soul. I surrender to You, Lord Jesus to live in and through me for Your glory, by Your Spirit. I lay all of my life on the alter, ready to do Your will in every area of my life and relationships. You are my amazing, worthy Lord and God!