Fruit On The Vine

 

Thoughts on True Worship

One of the saddest, darkest days of this life can be the day one is convicted of sin and deception.  On the other hand, is the mystery of how this is the designed prerequisite for realizing one's need for a deliverer from this place of trauma.

There's conviction when one becomes aware of their sinful, helpless state and need for a way to be free of its hopelessness.  Immediately, along with this place of conviction and great sorrow, is the hope of the Gospel.  This is the provision of cleansing from sin and bringing “right standing,” the righteousness of Christ, to the one who sincerely responds to the call of Christ the Redeemer. (Ref. Rom. 3:21-25)

Oh, the joy of heart when this great act of redemption has occurred in the life of one who believes!  However, after one has become this “new creation” in Christ, through His redeeming work, there will always be issues of challenge for sure; things to repent of, deceptions to be forgiven for, works to put away, … in a short positive phrase… growth which needs to occur.  It would seem we're describing the Christian life: repent, put away, grow.  (Ref. 2 Cor. 5:16-21)

Maybe we could think of someone known to be so zealous toward the things of the Lord, His work, and the building of His Kingdom.  Such thoughts have prompted this written essay.

We must realize that it's entirely possible to have a “pure of heart” approach, yet a challenged mind theologically.  This is fodder for a certain level of burnout and frustration in a believer's life.  When one may work so hard, thinking it's all up to their effort, they fail to realize who's actually in the driver's seat.  It must be Christ, and Christ alone. (Ref. Rom. 10:1-4)

In another manner of thought, and just as deceptive, can be found the all knowledgeable theologian who has been given great understanding and a mind so precise to know and exegete Scripture with such accuracy. One hearing will listen in awe.  What a gift, indeed!  Yet, at the same time, without the wisdom in play that causes such a one to be active in life with these lessons of such precision, this theologian could possibly be only a hearer and speaker, while yielding to old habits, traditions, worldly passions, etc. on a day-to-day basis in the walk of life.

Obviously, even though gifts may be present in a believer's life, it's entirely possible to forget what manner of person one would be in conduct. (Ref. James 1:22-25)  Quite frankly, there are no “famous folk” among the brethren.  Sure, everyone has varying gifts and varying services to provide among the body of Christ.  No one should be using manipulative tactics to try to achieve some desired and preferred agenda or ministry.  These tricks could be said to be “nothing new under the sun.” (Ref. Eccl. 1:9-11)  Far too often the most precious of church groups get caught right up in such behavioral patterns, and most often, unaware of them, as well.

We must stay with the Word.  God has given us a Book which reveals His methods of true worship.  Within its pages are guidance for how to approach His Word in worship.  We must pray His Word, Sing His Word, Preach and Teach His Word, and Live in the very strength of His Word.  The result of His design obeyed for true worship will produce all ministry appropriate for His church.  Activities will stem in a proper order from true worship.

We must never expect the opposite result as in true worship being a product of varying social activities; which, in all likelihood, should be kept to a minimum and never used in a manner to substitute for His divine plan for worship.

His purpose is for His people, that He created to glorify Him, in the manner in which He said, should be done.  May we worship Him in Spirit and in Truth! (Ref. John 4:23,24)

To God, be the Glory!

In Christ,

A Fellow Believer

Scripture References:

Romans 3:21-25 “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it.... the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.  For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith.  This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins.” ESV

2 Cor. 5:16-21 “From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh.  Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespassed against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.  We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”  ESV

Romans 10:1-4 “Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.  For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.  For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”  ESV

James 1:22-25 “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” ESV

Eccl. 1:9-11 “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.  Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new?'  It has been already in the ages before us.  There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.” ESV

John 4:23,24 “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” ESV