Living A Life of Worship
By Senior Pastor Prince Guneratnam
Many people think that worship takes place only when they
meet as a congregation, but there is more to worship than this. Worship is a lifestyle
which involves every area of our lives. Paul in writing to the Romans, said:
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies
as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of
worship. Do not conform any longer 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 12:12)
Very early on in
God said to the people of
Man Is A Worshipper
Interestingly enough, archeological evidence suggest that
even before the advent of modern civilization, or Christian missionary
activity, man has shown evidence of the activity of worship. He looked at
things that were beyond his ability to comprehend and assumed that these were
gods. Thus he would fall down and worship thunder, and usually tall tree, or
any creature that had more legs then the usual four.
God created man to be a worshipper. He is to worship God
alone. If he worships anything other than God the Creator, there is dissatisfaction
in life. Whatever else he worships becomes an idol.
Years ago, William Temple gave this definition of worship:
“To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness by God, to feed the
mind with the truth of God, to purge to imagination by the beauty of God, to
open the heart to the love of God and to devote the will to the purpose of
God.”
Therefore, worship involves the total being of man – when
his mind, spirit and body are in total submission to please and obey God. God
Himself is the centre and the object of worship.
There is a chorus that goes like this:
“Set my spirit free
that I might worship thee….
Set my spirit free
that I might praise thy name.
Let all bondage go and
let deliverance flow…”
Sin binds the man’s spirit, rendering him unable to worship,
but the Blood of Jesus Christ can liberate us into worship.
The spirit of man seeks fellowship with God. It is this
which brings true satisfaction. This satisfaction is then demonstrated in
everyday living by the change of lifestyle. We will live God-pleasing lives.
It is sad to note that many Christians (and some of these
have been Christians for years) have not entered into true worship because they
have not experienced the liberating of their spirit to true worship. In fact,
many try to find substitutes for worship.
We can find some examples in the Bible of individuals who
used substitutes for worship. We can learn useful lessons from these.
The First Example is
Jacob
In Genesis 28:10-22, we read that Jacob was running away
from his brother when out in the middle of nowhere, he had a revelation with
God, who promised to be with him and watch over him (verse 13-15).
Jacob called the place ‘
So Jacob went from there and kept his covenant with God,
tithing all that he received. He was a faithful tither. We read that God
prospered Him, proving that the principle of tithing works. ‘“Bring the whole
tithe in the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,”
says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of
heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it”
’ (Malachi 3:10; Proverbs 3:9, 10; Proverbs 11:24).
Jacob prospered but he did not set his heart to continue his
fellowship with God.
God does not want the believer to substitute worship with
tithes and gifts. These are good ways or forms to use to express our worship
but He wants first for you to live a life that daily express worship. This
involves living a life pleasing and obeying God.
Jacob realized there was an emptiness
within him. Earthly possessions could not satisfy his need to fellowship with
God. Thus Jacob sought to be alone, that he might seek God (Genesis 32:22-24).
That night, a man wrestled with him and Jacob asked the man to bless him. In
verse 28, the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but
This second encounter Jacob had with God was significant because
this was a struggle to have to have God in his life – not a struggle to have
more possessions. And thus Jacob began a new walk as
The Second Example is
Moses
He grew up knowing that he was to be the deliverer of his
people who were treated unjustly by the Egyptians. One day, he tried to help
his people by killing an Egyptian but had to flee to the desert in failure.
There he met God and then only did he become their deliverer by the grace of
God.
You cannot substitute worship with social work that may
relieve the pain and suffering of humanity. The Bible does say that we should
neglect good works, but good works must not be a substitute for a lifestyle of
worship.
The Third Example in
the Nation of
The children of
Do you know that God has made each of us a priest and we can
all come boldly into His Presence? This is our privilege and responsibility.
Like the children of
An incident happened to me when I was in
God is a personal God who is interested in a personal
relationship with you. There is to be no second-hand relationship with Him
because He created in each of us the ability to reach out and touch Him. If you
are not personally in touch with the living God daily, you are not worshipping
Him.
In conclusion, remember this: The Bible says, “Worship the
Lord your God and serve Him only” (Luke 4:8).
No. 5, July – September 1989